Japanese diplomats like Hiroshi Suzuki, the ambassador to the U.K., are using social media, humor and local culture to build influence, win hearts and project soft power in ways traditional diplomacy cannot. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/03/02/japan/art-of-modern-diplomacy/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #japan #hiroshisuzuki #uk #ukjapanrelations #paddingtonbear #shinzoabe

The British Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that diplomat Corin Robertson has been appointed as the U.K.'s next ambassador to Japan, succeeding Julia Longbottom. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/05/japan/politics/new-uk-ambassador-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #corinrobertson #ukjapanrelations

Britain and Japan agreed to strengthen defense and economic ties, visiting Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in Tokyo. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2026/02/01/japan/politics/japan-uk-leaders-defense-cooperation/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #politics #ukjapanrelations #uk #china #us #trade #defense

Japan is boosting defense spending and deepening U.K. ties to strengthen deterrence and stability amid declining U.S. reliability in the Indo-Pacific, a necessary and positive development. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2026/01/29/world/revamping-japan-uk-strategic-architecture/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #commentary #worldnews #ukjapanrelations #us #defense #nato #indopacific #uk #hmsprinceofwales #gcap #italy

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and British Defence Secretary John Healey have shared serious concerns over moves by China. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/12/18/japan/japan-uk-defense-ministers-talks/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #ukjapanrelations #defense #shinjirokoizumi #johnhealey

The government has said that the remains of five Ainu people will be returned from the Natural History Museum in Britain to Japan. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/11/29/japan/society/ainu-remains-returned-britain/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #society #ainu #uk #ukjapanrelations

With the Japan Sumo Association’s first trip to London’s in 34 years being far more successful than almost anyone could have expected, the possibility of a return visit has already been raised. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/10/22/sumo/sumo-albert-hall-london/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #sumo #london #japansumoassociation #uk #ukjapanrelations #sumo

Japanese property investors are planning to plow more money into the U.K. as economic uncertainty and trade turmoil prompt diversification beyond the United States. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/business/2025/09/29/companies/japan-property-investors-uk-shift/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #business #companies #realestate #mitsubishiestate #mitsuifudosan #investment #ukjapanrelations

The commander of a British aircraft carrier strike group said in an exclusive interview that the group will have achieved "full operating capability" by the time it returns home, following a landmark visit to Japan. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/09/02/asia-pacific/uk-aircraft-carrier-commander-japan/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #asiapacific #uk #ukjapanrelations #defense #indopacific #aircraftcarriers #f35 #sdf

Britain's Prince of Wales aircraft carrier has made its Japan debut in the final leg of a monthslong Indo-Pacific deployment at the helm of a multinational carrier strike group. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2025/08/12/japan/uk-prince-of-wales-carrier-japan-debut/?utm_medium=Social&utm_source=mastodon #japan #yokosuka #aircraftcarriers #princeofwales #ukjapanrelations #msdf