Syrian Conference Introduction Feb 2021

Read more

The Japan Affair: 40 Years of Engagement in UK - Japan Relations

Read more

In this special event, Lord Howell joined Japan Society chairman Bill Emmott in a conversation spanning themes and observations from his over 40 year involvement in UK Japan relations. In his regular columns for The Japan Times, and through his chairmanship of the then UK-Japan 2000 Group, Lord Howell has long argued for closer links and cooperation between Japan and the UK. With the recent UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement, Japan’s backing for the UK’s application to join the CPTPP, new and very close security and military and maritime cooperation, growing cultural ties and more, these links are deepening steadily. With reference to the lessons of the past in relation to trade, investment, energy and more, David Howell and Bill Emmott also looked ahead to future opportunities and challenges. David Howell (Lord Howell of Guildford) has been contributing a regular fortnightly column to The Japan Times since 1985, with one break in 2010 when he returned for a period to Government. From 1987-1997 he was chair of the UK-Japan 2000 Group, set up in 1984 between the two Prime Ministers, Margaret Thatcher and Yasuhiro Nakasone, (subsequently re-christened the UK-Japan 21st Century Group). In 2001 he was awarded by the Emperor of Japan the Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure for his work in promoting Japan-UK relations. The Japan Affair (https://www.gilgamesh-publishing.co.uk/the-japan-affair.html), based on 35 years of Japan Times columns, was published by Gilgamesh Publishing in May 2020.

News & Politics