Manchester selected to host the UK-Japan 21st Century Group Conference in 2027

Manchester has been officially selected to host the UK-Japan 21st Century Group conference in 2027.

Established in 1985 by Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and Yasuhiro Nakasone, the UK-Japan 21st Century Group is a coalition of public sector, private sector, and civil society leaders. The group holds high level alternating conferences each year in the UK and Japan with a mission to deliver policy recommendations to both governments.

Following a meeting in Tokyo and Fujiyoshida in March 2026, the UK-based 2027 meeting will take place in Manchester.

The announcement of Manchester as the host city for the conference in 2027 was made by Lord Jack McConnell, the UK Co-Chairman of the group, during the annual Japan Day event in held in Greater Manchester on 11 September.

The conference marks another major milestone in the rapidly expanding diplomatic and economic relationship between Greater Manchester and Japan, following several reciprocal missions focused on broadening and deepening diplomatic, business, cultural, civic, and people to people links.

Commenting on the announcement, Jo Ahmed, Honorary Consul of Japan in Greater Manchester, said: “We are delighted that the UK-Japan 21st Century Group will come to Manchester for the first time for its 2027 conference. This is brilliant opportunity to continue to strengthen dialogue and collaboration between the UK and Japan within the context of a very special relationship that Greater Manchester has nurtured with Japan in recent years. The conference is also very well-timed as part of a programme of exciting activities for the Greater Manchester Japan Steering Group in 2027, with more details on that to follow in due course.”

The 2027 Manchester conference will take place 19-20 March 2027 and will serve as the 43rd annual meeting.

ENDS