The UK Government's three-day visit to Osaka and Tokyo by Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill is a significant development in the bilateral relationship between Scotland and Japan. During her trip, Minister McNeill will promote Brand Scotland's iconic goods and services and encourage Japanese inward investment as part of the UK Government's Plan for Change.
Scotland is one of the largest health and life science clusters in Europe, employing more than 41,000 people across 770 organisations and generating over £10 billion annually for the Scottish economy. The Expo 2025 in Osaka provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition.
The UK-Japan partnership is closer than it has been for decades, with intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests, including defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation, and trade and investment. Trade missions such as this help foster even greater collaboration and Minister McNeill looks forward to promoting the very best of Scotland in Japan and embedding Scottish produce.
The visit also highlights the growing importance of Scotland's soft power strengths, which can be fully utilised through partnerships such as those being formed with Venture Café. The opening of a new Venture Cafe in Edinburgh is part of the Advanced Research + Invention Agency's (ARIA) Activation Partners initiative to drive science entrepreneurship.
Scotland and Japan have a strong trade relationship, with total goods exports from Scotland to Japan worth £484 million in 2024. Scotland's top export to Japan was beverages, including whisky, with sales worth £158 million – 32.5% of all goods exported. The largest industry exporting services to Japan was the financial and insurance industry, £304 million – nearly two thirds (64%) of all services exports in 2023.
In addition, there are 120 Japanese owned businesses in Scotland, operating 265 local business units, and employing 8,980 workers. This demonstrates the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
The Expo 2025 is a significant event that provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition. The visit also highlights the importance of innovation and science, which are key areas of cooperation between Scotland and Japan.
According to Donna Fordyce, CEO of Seafood Scotland, "We are delighted to have the support of the Scotland Office, the Minister, and Brand Scotland in showcasing the very best of our seafood on the world stage. Japan is an important market for Scotland's premium catch, and this mission provides a valuable platform for our producers to connect with influential buyers, chefs, and media."
The visit also highlights the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between Scotland and Japan. With intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests, including defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation, and trade and investment, Scotland and Japan are strengthening their ties in trade, investment, and innovation.
Recent Developments
The Expo 2025 in Osaka is a significant event that provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition. The visit by Minister McNeill also highlights the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between Scotland and Japan.
In Tokyo, Minister McNeill will meet with Sumitomo Electric to discuss progress in the construction of its £350 million subsea cable factory at the port of Nigg in the Scottish Highlands. The factory is creating around 150 jobs and will contribute significantly towards the UK's capability to deliver renewable energy to UK consumers.
The visit also highlights the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between Scotland and Japan. With intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests, including defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation, and trade and investment, Scotland and Japan are strengthening their ties in trade, investment, and innovation.
Future Impact
In the short term, the visit by Minister McNeill is expected to lead to increased cooperation between Scotland and Japan in areas such as trade and investment. The Expo 2025 provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition.
In the long term, Scotland and Japan are expected to continue their strong bilateral relationship, with intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests. This includes defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation, and trade and investment.
The visit by Minister McNeill highlights the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between Scotland and Japan. With this in mind, it is essential that both countries continue to work together to strengthen their ties in trade, investment, and innovation.
Conclusion
The visit by Minister McNeill to Osaka and Tokyo is a significant development in the bilateral relationship between Scotland and Japan. The Expo 2025 provides an opportunity for the UK to strengthen relationships with like-minded partners across fields from defence and security to sustainability and energy transition.
With intensified cooperation across the entire breadth of UK economic growth and security interests, including defence, digital, cyber, science and innovation, and trade and investment, Scotland and Japan are strengthening their ties in trade, investment, and innovation. This is a positive development for both countries, and it is essential that they continue to work together to achieve this goal.
In conclusion, the visit by Minister McNeill highlights the growing importance of bilateral trade and investment between Scotland and Japan. With this in mind, it is essential that both countries continue to work together to strengthen their ties in trade, investment, and innovation.