According to the Department for International Trade’s – Trade and Investment statistics, total trade in goods and services between the UK and Japan was £24.6 billion in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022.
In 2020 (the latest year for which data is available) the inward stock of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the UK from Japan was £102.3 billion accounting for 5.3% of the total UK inward FDI stock.
In the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022, total UK exports to Japan amounted to £11.9 billion, while total UK imports from Japan amounted to £12.7 billion.
In 2021, the UK and Japan signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), enhancing areas such as creative industries, data, financial services and digital technology – bringing together two of the world’s most technologically advanced nations.
Whilst the Chamber works with companies across Japan, it has an established working relationship with the Kansai Region – the second largest economy in Japan.
Similar to the Thames Valley, the region has strengths in many of the same industry clusters, including energy, life sciences and technology.
Among companies from the Kansai region who have chosen to open offices in the Thames Valley are Mizuno, Nintendo, Panasonic and Takeda.
The Japan Desk at the Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce works with member UK businesses helping identify partnerships and strategy agreements as well as building stronger working relationships with those wanting to establish companies or work in the Japanese market.
Both UK and Japanese companies show strong interest for cooperation, partnerships and trade. The Japan desk has played a pivotal role in facilitating and utilising the mutual interest and the readily available opportunities.
– Specialist Helpline
– 1-2-1 consultation
– Events and Market Visits
– Bilateral Market Entry Support
– Bilateral Inward Investment Support
– Identifying Partners for Business Collaboration and R & D
– Multi-Cultural Business Training