2016: Ambassador’s New Year Message
Watch our video message from Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan, as we look ahead to a safe and prosperous 2016.
Tim Hitchens, British Ambassador to Japan, has released a new year message, reflecting on 2015; looking ahead to 2016; and wishing friends in Japan and around the world a happy new year from all at the British Embassy Tokyo and British Consulate-General Osaka:
We live in uncertain times. Global challenges to our rules based international system require global alliances. I am delighted that from the beginning of January Japan and the UK will both be sitting at the world’s top table, the UN Security Council. We support Japan becoming a permanent member. The spotlight will also fall on Japan in 2016 as it hosts the G7 Summit in Iseshima; our Prime Ministers will meet there.
We were delighted that Britain was recognised by the UN this year as the second most innovative nation on earth. On the back of that, we have been bringing together some of the best of British and Japanese researchers, innovators, entrepreneurs and technology companies as part of our Innovation is GREAT campaign.
We’ve already hosted over 100 events and talked to millions of you through our media partnerships, blog and social media channels. This will continue to be a centrepiece of our work in 2016 ; please do join us as campaign partners.
Watch the video below to see Tim Hitchens’ full new year message.