"The World and Japan" Database (Project Leader: TANAKA Akihiko)
Database of Japanese Politics and International Relations
National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS); Institute for Advanced Studies on Asia (IASA), The University of Tokyo

[Title] Video message from Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Iwaya on the UK Expo National Day

[Place]
[Date] May 22, 2025
[Source] Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan
[Notes]
[Full text]

I am IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan. Congratulations on the launch of the "Musubi (bonds)" initiative, an effort to promote people-to-people exchanges between Japan and the UK.

It is connections between people that develop our societies and serve as a foundation for exchanges between countries. In the Japan-UK Hiroshima Accord, issued by the leaders of Japan and the UK in 2023, we also confirmed our cooperation in revitalizing people-to-people exchanges, including in the key areas of tourism, studying abroad, culture, and the working holiday programme.

I hope this initiative will strengthen our "Musubi (bonds)", especially among the younger generation, and that our partnership, now stronger than ever, will continue to grow. The future begins with us.