With spring in full swing, we wish all British Market Council (BMC) members and all those involved the very best for the coming season.
Thank you very much for your ongoing support and cooperation in the operation of the BMC.
As of 31 March 2024, I will step down as Chairman of the BMC in line with my retirement from ITOCHU Corporation. I would like to thank our members, the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Foundation for International Trade and Industrial Co-operation (ITIC) and other stakeholders, Her Excellency Ambassador Julia Longbottom, Minister-Counsellor Darren Goff and many others at the British Embassy in Tokyo for their support over the nearly three years since I took up the chairmanship on 15 June 2021.
At the time of my appointment, the Corona disaster made it difficult for me to organise events and meet you all in person. The event resumed in 2022 and we have very good memories of visiting British Hills, BARAKURA English Garden and other facilities with a British background. In September 2023, the 50th anniversary party was held at the residence of the British Ambassador to Japan, where we had a good time interacting and socialising with many members and other interested parties. In November, the third mission to the UK was dispatched, and the visit to see the UK's advanced clean technology, which is exactly what is needed now, left a strong impression. I hope that through these activities we can be of some help to your business.
Relations between the UK and Japan have strengthened in the last year with the issuance of the Hiroshima Accord by the UK and Japanese governments and the conclusion of a number of associated agreements. This year will be a year for the implementation of various UK-Japan cooperation initiatives. I would like to leave the BMC with my best wishes for the further development of the UK-Japan partnership, the development of the BMC, and the continued success and health of our members and all those involved. Thank you very much for your assistance.
Last but not least, Masahiro Imai, Ambassador Senior Vice Representative for External Affairs of ITOCHU Corporation, will carry out the duties as Acting Chairman for the remaining one year of the company's term of office appointing a Chairman, and I would like to ask for your kind support as well as mine.
Yoshihisa Suzuki
Chairman
British Market Council
