The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) is the metropolitan authority of Greater Manchester made up of a directly elected Metropolitan Mayor, Andy Burnham, and 10 councils (Bury, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Tameside, Wigan) .

GMCA regards Japan as a key focus for broadening and deepening diplomatic, business, cultural, and civic links. The Greater Manchester International Strategy recognises the potential of collaboration between the two regions, increasing exports and inward investment​ as well as cultural and sporting links.

The 2025 mission to Japan will build on work undertaken in December 2023, which saw Greater Manchester sign a partnership with the city of Osaka to strengthen innovation and economic links and cooperation between the two regions.

This landmark mission sought to strengthen exchanges on environmental policy areas and the delivery of net-zero objectives; promote economic opportunities and develop robust collaborative ties; and boost innovation and educational links between the universities in both city-regions. This led to the signing of MOUS with Daikin and Panasonic to accelerate the deployment of low carbon technology across Greater Manchester.

During the 2025 mission, business and civic leaders will undertake a series of high-level activities and events to reinforce these ties and encourage further collaboration.

GMCA at EXPO

EXPO 2025 will be an opportunity to further affirm Greater Manchester’s relationship with Osaka. Working with key industrial partners and the Department for Business and Trade, EXPO will be a catalyst for business engagement and innovation.

GMCA has also commissioned BLOOM, an original piece of work that is Greater Manchester’s gift to Osaka, celebrating our region’s contemporary creative scene and historic relationship with Japan.

BLOOM and Greater Manchester’s presence at EXPO 2025 will act as a platform to celebrate the cultural, musical and sporting ties between Greater Manchester and Japan, making way for further and more pioneering cultural collaboration between the regions.