Japan–United Kingdom relations (日英関係) are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between Japan and the United Kingdom.

History

The history of the relationship between Japan and England began in 1600 with the arrival of William Adams (Adams the Pilot, Miura Anjin), (the first of very few non-Japanese samurai) on the shores of Kyushu at Usuki in Ōita Prefecture. During the Sakoku period (1641–1853), there were no formal relations between the two countries. The Dutch served as intermediaries. The treaty of 1854 began formal diplomatic ties, which improved to become a formal alliance 1902–1922. The British dominions pressured Britain to end the alliance. Relations deteriorated rapidly in the 1930s, over the Japanese invasions of Manchuria and China, and the cutoff of oil supplies in 1941. Japan declared war in December 1941 and seized Hong Kong, British Borneo (with its oil), and Malaya, causing the two nations to engage in a bloody conflict for the next four years. With overwhelming force, the Japanese sank several ships of the British Eastern Fleet and forced the surrender of Singapore, capturing many prisoners. However, the British eventually pushed them back once they reached the outskirts of India. Relations improved in the 1950s–1970s, and as memories of the conflict faded, became warm. On 3 May 2011, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that Japan is "one of [Britain]'s closest partners in Asia". Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy are planning to establish a control tower for the joint development of a next-generation fighter jet by fiscal 2024.

Chronology of Japanese–British relations

Beginning

Early

Sakoku

1854–1900

20th century

World War II

Post War

21st century

See also the chronology on the website of British Embassy, Tokyo.

Britons in Japan

The chronological list of Heads of the United Kingdom Mission in Japan.

Japanese in the United Kingdom

The family name is given in italics. Usually the family name comes first in regards to Japanese historical figures, but in modern times not so for the likes of Kazuo Ishiguro and Katsuhiko Oku, both well known in the United Kingdom.

Education

Cultural relations

Sports

British sports had an impact on Japan during the Meiji modernisation. Cricket was present in Japan's foreign settlements, played by both British and American expatriates, until baseball grew in popularity by the early 20th century.

List of Japanese diplomatic envoys in the United Kingdom (partial list)

Ministers plenipotentiary

Ambassadors

List of ambassadors of the United Kingdom to Japan

Other Japanese bilateral relations

Other United Kingdom bilateral relations