The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Charles Bowman, is to visit Tokyo from 8 to 11 July 2018 to promote cooperation in areas including asset management, education, and fintech.

In his capacity as a global ambassador for the UK's financial and professional sector, the Lord Mayor will lead a delegation of UK asset managers hoping to boost their presence in the Japanese market. He will also take part in a number of meetings with business and government leaders to boost UK-Japan cooperation in financial services.

The visit comes in the wake of the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the City Corporation and Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) in December 2017.

During the trip a number of MoU-linked announcements will be made, including:

• the signing of a cooperation agreement between CASS Business School and the Tokyo Metropolitan University;
• the opening of an office in Tokyo by the UK asset management company Algebris;
• a new cooperation venture by the London Stock Exchange Group.

Since the MoU was signed 6 months ago, a number of successful exchanges have taken place. In January 2018 a senior TMG delegation visited the City of London to discuss how they can best promote Tokyo to London businesses. In April, Sir Roger Gifford, Chair of the City of London's Green Finance Initiative and the 2012–13 Lord Mayor of London, travelled to Tokyo for a green finance roundtable at the UK embassy. Further visits are expected to take place later this year.

Lord Mayor of the City of London Charles Bowman said:“My visit to Tokyo comes at a hugely exciting time for relations between Japan and the UK, with trade between our two countries in financial services at record levels.

“The MoU between the City of London Corporation and Tokyo Metropolitan Government is already reaping countless benefits for both cities.

“I look forward to building on this success, and to strengthening the longstanding spirit of cooperation that exists between us.”

CEO and founder of Algebris, Davide Serra said:

“Being global and diversified is a focus for Algebris, which is made easier with the support of the City of London Corporation and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

“Built to perform, Algebris values long term commitment which, in the spirit of this MoU, should lead to new strategic partnerships in Japan.”

Professor Marianne Lewis, Dean, Cass Business School, said:“We are delighted to sign this cooperation agreement with the Tokyo Metropolitan University and look forward to working with them on mutually beneficial research, partnerships and exchanges.”

The City of London Corporation has a programme of engagement with countries across Asia, and regularly takes part in bilateral financial dialogues alongside HM Government. To build collaboration in financial and professional services between the UK and Japan, the City Corporation sits on the Japan Market Advisory Group, run by TheCityUK.

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Notes to editors

The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. www.cityoflondon.gov.uk

For more information contact:

Nathan Rodgers, Media Officer for Asia

City of London Corporation

Nathan.rodgers@cityoflondon.gov.uk

0207 332 3451 / 07864 625086