Ambassador IZAWA visit to London for Jiji Top Seminar
2026/2/17
From 16 to 18 February, Ambassador IZAWA visited London to participate in the Jiji Top Seminar, where he shared insights on the newly established Mission of Japan to NATO, Japan’s evolving defence industrial cooperation, and the strengthening of Japan–NATO relations in an increasingly complex security environment.
During his stay, Ambassador IZAWA held a series of productive meetings with key British stakeholders. He met with Ben Fender, Director for defence and security at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, to exchange views on Japan–UK cooperation and continued support for Ukraine. He also met with British Labour Party MP Tim Roca, who participated in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visit to Japan in November last year, underscoring the importance of sustained parliamentary engagement.
The Ambassador further met with BBC News Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale and engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with experts from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Exchanges covered a broad spectrum of strategic issues, including Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security, Russia’s war against Ukraine, defence industrial cooperation, and nuclear policy.
Finally, Ambassador IZAWA met with Mr. Oka Masami, CEO of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) International Government Organisation (GIGO). They discussed progress in advancing GCAP and its role in delivering a next-generation combat air capability through close international collaboration.
During his stay, Ambassador IZAWA held a series of productive meetings with key British stakeholders. He met with Ben Fender, Director for defence and security at the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, to exchange views on Japan–UK cooperation and continued support for Ukraine. He also met with British Labour Party MP Tim Roca, who participated in the NATO Parliamentary Assembly visit to Japan in November last year, underscoring the importance of sustained parliamentary engagement.
The Ambassador further met with BBC News Defence Correspondent Jonathan Beale and engaged in a wide-ranging discussion with experts from the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI). Exchanges covered a broad spectrum of strategic issues, including Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic security, Russia’s war against Ukraine, defence industrial cooperation, and nuclear policy.
Finally, Ambassador IZAWA met with Mr. Oka Masami, CEO of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) International Government Organisation (GIGO). They discussed progress in advancing GCAP and its role in delivering a next-generation combat air capability through close international collaboration.