The UK-Japan relationship has deepened significantly in recent years and now includes a more substantive security component.
The Global Combat Air Programme, an initiative led by the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy to jointly develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter, is part of wider collaboration efforts that also saw HMS Prince of Wales lead the UK Carrier Strike Group’s visit Japan in August 2025.
In this lecture Dame Karen Pierce DCMG, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans and formerly British Ambassador to the USA and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, will speak on ‘Security in a Changing World’, including the developing role of the UK-Japan relationship.
This lecture series honours the life and legacy of Sir Hugh Cortazzi GCMG (1924–2018), a champion of Anglo-Japanese relations, both during his diplomatic career at the FCDO and in his retirement. He served as UK Ambassador to Japan (1980–1984) and was chair of The Japan Society (1985–1995).
Places for this event are now at capacity. If you would like to join the waitlist for this event, please email the events team.
A drinks reception will immediately follow this event.
