The UK’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, visited Portsmouth businesses today to strengthen economic ties, meeting with local officials and companies including Griffon Marine, Airbus Portsmouth, BAE Systems and the Mary Rose.
Ambassador Longbottom’s visit forms part of a pioneering roadshow initiated by Foreign Secretary David Lammy, designed to accelerate economic growth across all regions of the UK.
During her Portsmouth visit, the Ambassador held discussions with the city’s Lord Mayor, Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson, and Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Portsmouth City Council’s Chief Executive, before touring several prominent local enterprises.
Portsmouth serves as a significant hub for Japanese commercial activity and investment across Hampshire, largely attributed to its robust maritime, defence and advanced manufacturing industries.
Speaking about her visit, Ambassador Longbottom commented:
“It’s exciting to be in Portsmouth as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK.
“The UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy are making Britain the best country to do business with – and that is the message I’m giving, loud and clear, to businesses in Japan.
“Japanese companies are choosing to invest and create jobs in the UK because of our skilled workforce, our world-class innovation, and our deep, trusted partnership with Japan. Portsmouth has all of these, and it’s my job to put Portsmouth on the map in Japan.
“That’s why I’m in Portsmouth today – exploring new opportunities both for local companies seeking to export to Japan, and to understand how Japanese companies can invest and create more jobs and growth here.
“I am particularly excited by Portsmouth’s strong defence industrial base, cutting-edge technology, and advanced manufacturing sector. These are all fantastic opportunities for partnership with Japan.
“I look forward to building on these opportunities further, including when the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales visits Japan later this year as part of her deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Having set sail from Portsmouth in April, this is just another example of the strong links between Portsmouth and Japan.”
- Portsmouth MP backs Labour’s £725bn infrastructure plan
- Portsmouth MP Welcomes 65 New Police Officers Coming to Hampshire
Current trade figures show Japan ranks as the UK’s 15th largest trading partner. The Ambassador’s roadshow visit aims to build upon 2024’s total bilateral trade value of £27.1 billion, benefiting numerous Hampshire-based companies.
Regional export data reveals Hampshire & Isle of Wight sent £1 billion worth of goods to Japan during 2022, whilst imports totalled £206 million. Goods exports dominated at £833 million compared to £170 million in services, reflecting the major commercial ports at Southampton and Portsmouth.
Portsmouth City Council Leader, Cllr Steve Pitt, said:
“We are delighted to welcome Ambassador Longbottom to Portsmouth as part of this important national initiative. Her visit is a valuable opportunity to showcase the world-class innovation and expertise that defines our city’s defence, maritime and advanced manufacturing sectors.
“Working closely with Portsmouth’s global business partners like Griffon Marine, Airbus, BAE and the Mary Rose, we are building a resilient, forward-looking economy that benefits everyone in our city. This visit is a clear signal that Portsmouth is open for business and ready to play a leading role in the UK’s global trade ambitions.”
Lord Mayor Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson added:
“Portsmouth is proud of its strong international connections, particularly with Japan, and we are committed to strengthening these ties to create new jobs, attract investment, and open up global opportunities for our residents.”
Griffon Marine’s CEO, Mark Downer, stated:
“Ambassador Longbottom’s visit highlights the importance of UK-Japan collaboration in shaping the future of maritime defence. At Griffon Marine, we are proud to lead the Wyvern-J programme, a platform that reflects the best of British innovation, engineering, and global support. Wyvern-J has the power to bring meaningful regeneration to Portchester by creating high-value jobs, apprenticeships, and a skilled workforce rooted in the community.”
Mary Rose Trust CEO Dominic Jones commented:
“It was an honour to welcome Ambassador Longbottom to the Mary Rose Museum—home to the world’s largest collection of everyday Tudor artefacts. We were delighted to share the story of the Mary Rose, history’s greatest maritime archaeological salvage project, and its ongoing significance to Portsmouth’s heritage. We hope Her Excellency enjoyed her visit.”
