Wednesday, October 04, 2017, 11:00 - 12:00

"Global Britain, Global Japan - Shared Values and Shared Future"

 

Language:The speech and Q & A will be in English

Britain's proposed exit from the European Union – better known as "Brexit' – was seen by the majority who voted for it in a 2016 referendum to be an escape route from a multi-tentacled bureaucracy in Brussels, and as means to stem a growing tide of immigration from the EU into the United Kingdom. But there will be no easy "escape” – if that is the right term to describe what others see as a case of Britain reneging on its commitments to Europe – and the cost of Brexit could be very high, both in financial and economic terms for Britain, not to mention damage to the country's international reputation.-

Japan has particular cause to be concerned over Brexit. The world's third-largest economy invested heavily   in Britain over a period of several decades precisely because Britain was seen as a manufacturing production "platform" within the EU and a means to get inside tariff walls. Now, all of that may change. Britain has yet to show that it can negotiate a satisfactory post-Brexit trade agreement with Brussels and the "passporting" rights that allowed Japanese and other international banks and financial institutions to operates on a pan-European basis from the City of London are also seen to be at risk.

At this critical juncture of negotiations between Britain and the EU on Brexit, the FCCJ is fortunate to have secured a visit by Britain's ambassador to Japan, is His Excellency Paul Madden to discuss Brexit and other issues.

Paul Madden became British Ambassador to Japan in January 2017. He was previously British High Commissioner to Australia (2011-15) and British High Commissioner to Singapore (2007-11). A career diplomat, he was Managing Director at UK Trade and Investment (2004-2006), responsible for coordinating and implementing international trade development strategies to support companies across a wide range of business sectors.

Madden was Deputy High Commissioner in Singapore from 2000-2003 and has also served in Washington (1996-2000). Between 1992-96 he worked on EU enlargement and environmental issues at the FCO in London. His first posting in Tokyo was as First Secretary Economic (1988-92).Before joining FCO he worked at the Department of Trade and Industry (1980-87) on a range of industrial sectors and trade policy, and was head of the Japan team. He spent 2 years as a minister's Private Secretary. He has an MA in Economic Geography from Cambridge University, an MBA from Durham University, studied Japanese at London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies, and is a Fellow of the Royal GeographicalSociety.

Please reserve in advance, 3211-3161 or on the website (still & TV cameras inclusive). Reservations and cancellations are not complete without confirmation.

Professional Activities Committee