Wales in Japan 2025: Year in Review
JLGC took a group of Welsh public sector staff to Oita in 2025, here visiting OPAM
JLGC London spoke to Charlotte Maurer, External Relations Manager – Wales and Japan 2025, Welsh Government about relations between the two countries over the last year.
Charlotte told us: “In 2025, Wales and Japan came together through a year of cultural, economic, sporting, health and educational celebration, collaboration and connection, led by the Welsh Government. Though separated by thousands of miles, the two nations share deep-rooted values and an enduring friendship forged over centuries, now focused on shaping a shared and forward-looking future.
Over the course of the year, the programme showcased Wales as an outward-looking, globally engaged nation, committed to strengthening international relationships, celebrating the breadth and depth of the Wales and Japan partnership, and creating space for new conversations and meaningful connections to emerge.
The year was not only a moment of celebration, but one of momentum. Partnerships were strengthened, new opportunities surfaced, and a shared sense of purpose was reinforced across all sectors. The programme reached wide audiences across Japan and laid strong foundations for continued collaboration, deepening mutual understanding, building confidence on both sides, and establishing a lasting legacy. Together, these outcomes have created renewed opportunity and a clear platform for Wales and Japan to continue working closely in the years ahead.”
For JLGC London, the 2025 Wales in Japan programme has been anchored by the Memorandum of Understanding with Ōita Prefecture, creating a structured platform for collaboration across culture, sport, education, tourism, and food and drink, explored and reinforced by our Japan Study Tour 2025 visit by Welsh government officers and public sector professionals.
Ōita came alive this year with Welsh creativity and innovation. Other highlights included choral performances with Only Boys Aloud, artist residencies connecting Welsh and Japanese creators, and animation exchanges between the Cardiff Animation Festival and Hokkaido’s New Chitose International Animation Festival – all supported by the Wales-Japan Culture Fund.
Education and economic links flourished, from student exchanges with Ōita University to renewed Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) between museums, while a Tokyo Investor Showcase showcased Welsh expertise in renewable energy and digital technology.
Sport also bridged cultures, with the Welsh Rugby Union delivering coaching sessions to over 2,300 children in Kitakyushu and Moji, fostering engagement and understanding.
Beyond events, Wales shared lessons from its Well-being of Future Generations Act, inspiring Japanese partners on sustainability and innovative policymaking.
The 2025 programme shows the power of regional diplomacy: by combining culture, education, sport and business under frameworks like the Ōita MoU, Wales has built meaningful partnerships, left a lasting legacy, and set the stage for continued collaboration with Japan in the years ahead.
