As Greater Manchester hosts Japan Week 2025 in early September, the spotlight turns to a growing international relationship that’s as strategic as it is cultural. While the week-long celebration showcases Japanese art, performance, and heritage, it also reflects a deeper ambition: to strengthen trade, investment, and innovation ties between Greater Manchester and Japan.
A Legacy of Collaboration
The roots of this partnership run deep. From Oldham engineers influencing Toyota’s early manufacturing systems to decades of educational and civic exchange, Greater Manchester and Japan share a legacy of industrial cooperation. But today, the focus is firmly on the future — and trade is at the heart of it.
June Trade Mission: A Strategic Milestone
In June 2025, Greater Manchester led the largest UK delegation to Japan, with over 80 representatives visiting Tokyo and Osaka during the build-up to EXPO 2025. The mission, led by Mayor Andy Burnham, aimed to unlock new opportunities in enhanced trade partnerships, low-carbon technology, urban development, and advanced manufacturing.
Key outcomes included:
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A Memorandum of Agreement between MIDAS and the Osaka Chamber of Commerce
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A Declaration of Agreement toward Manchester–Osaka sister city status
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Mizkan Euro Ltd’s £17 million investment in Rochdale
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A five-year partnership with Daikin UK to deploy low-carbon heating systems
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Promotion of Greater Manchester’s innovation ecosystem at UK Pavilion events
Mayor Andy Burnham said:
“2025 will be the year that Greater Manchester and Japan take our partnership to the next level. Our city-region has a special connection to Japan that dates back centuries but is always forward-looking – focused on cooperation, innovation, and growth that benefits our people and places.
We are ready to put Greater Manchester at the heart of the biggest international event in the world in Osaka next year, seizing new opportunities to boost trade, investment, and tourism – and we are excited to welcome the hundreds of performers and creators who make up Japan Week to our city-region.”
Trade Data: A Growing Opportunity
According to the Department for Business and Trade (DBT), total trade between the UK and Japan reached £31 billion in the four quarters to Q1 2025 — a 3.5% increase year-on-year. UK exports to Japan rose by 7.8% (£1.2 billion), while imports dipped slightly by 0.7% (£101 million). These figures underscore the growing appetite for UK–Japan trade, with Greater Manchester well-positioned to lead the charge.
GM Business Growth Hub: Enabling Business Success
The trade mission was not just a diplomatic success — it delivered tangible outcomes for Greater Manchester businesses. The Department for Business and Trade and GM Business Growth Hub played a pivotal role in identifying high-potential companies, preparing them for international engagement, and facilitating introductions to Japanese partners.
Several Greater Manchester firms reported new leads, partnership discussions, and market insights as a direct result of the mission. The Hub’s support extended beyond the trip itself, with ongoing advisory services helping businesses navigate Japanese regulations, cultural expectations, and export logistics. In addition, to further extend the impact of the trade mission, a roundtable will be held today (4th September) in Manchester, bringing together the Mayor of Osaka and the Japanese Ambassador for the UK with 12 GM life sciences and cyber businesses who were not part of the travel mission in June, exploring more collaboration opportunities.
Janine Smith, Director at GC Business Growth Hub, said:
“It was great to join the trade mission with a range of Greater Manchester businesses looking to start trading in Japan or enhance their existing sales and operation. It gave our businesses direct access to Japanese partners, opened doors for collaboration, and demonstrated the strength of our innovation ecosystem. Japan Week is a chance to build on that momentum and position Greater Manchester as a key UK gateway for trade with Japan.”
The Hub continues to work with local firms to capitalise on the relationships formed during the mission, helping them convert interest into investment and long-term growth.
Looking Ahead: A Strategic Trade Alliance
With over 25 Japanese companies already investing in Greater Manchester and annual exports to Japan totalling £250 million, the region is poised for deeper collaboration. The groundwork laid by the trade mission and the visibility offered by Japan Week are creating a platform for sustained engagement — not just in clean energy and manufacturing, but in digital, life sciences, and cyber security.
With Greater Manchester's involvement in EXPO 2025 in Osaka, the partnership with Japan is evolving into a strategic alliance — one built on shared values, mutual respect, and a commitment to sustainable growth. With GM Business Growth Hub continuing to support businesses at every stage of their international journey, the future of GM–Japan trade looks brighter than ever.