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Bilateral relations From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Japan–United Kingdom relations (日英関係, Nichieikankei) are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Japan and the United Kingdom.
Japan |
United Kingdom |
---|---|
Diplomatic mission | |
Embassy of Japan, London | British Embassy, Tokyo |
Envoy | |
Ambassador of Japan to the United Kingdom Hiroshi Suzuki (since November 2024) | Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Japan Julia Longbottom (since 1 March 2021) |
The history of the relationship between Japan and England began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams (Adams the Pilot, Miura Anjin), the first of very few non-Japanese samurai, on the shores of Kyushu at Usuki in present-day Ōita Prefecture. During the Sakoku period (1641–1853), there were no formal relations between the two countries, while the Dutch acted as intermediaries.
Formal diplomatic ties began with the treaty of 1854, which eventually led to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance of 1902. This alliance marked the end of Britain's 'splendid isolation' since 1815, while, for Japan, it brought much-needed British support ahead of the looming Russo-Japanese War. Japan's victory over Russia solidified the alliance, which lasted for two decades. However, American pressure and the subsequent Four-Power Treaty of 1921 brought it to an end.
Relations deteriorated rapidly during the 1930s due to the Japanese invasion of Manchuria, and the cutoff of oil supplies in 1941 further escalated tensions. Japan declared war in December 1941 and, with overwhelming force, seized most British possessions east of India, including Hong Kong, British Borneo (with its vital oil reserves), Malaya, Singapore, and Burma. However, the British began pushing Japanese forces back after they reached the outskirts of India.
Relations improved in the 1950s–1970s and, as memories of the conflict faded, grew increasingly warm. In the 1970s, Emperor Hirohito and Queen Elizabeth II paid state visits to each other’s countries. Today, the United Kingdom and Japan have strong economic ties, with both being members of the G7 and the CPTPP. The two nations are also collaborating in the field of defence, most notably through the GCAP programme, the joint development of the next-generation fighter jet alongside Italy.
See also the chronology on the website of British Embassy, Tokyo.[62]
The chronological list of Heads of the United Kingdom Mission in Japan.
The family name is given in italics. Usually the family name comes first in regards to Japanese historical figures, but in modern times not so for the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro and Katsuhiko Oku, both well known in the United Kingdom.
British sports had an impact on Japan during the Meiji modernisation.[67] Cricket was present in Japan's foreign settlements, played by both British and American expatriates, until baseball grew in popularity by the early 20th century.[68]
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