North East of England and Japan: Economic Past, Present and Futures

The symposium outlined the history of economic cooperation between the North East and Japan and looked to a future in which global and regional/local partnerships can generate opportunities and benefits that transcend national and cultural boundaries.

 

From warship production for the Imperial Japanese Navy at Lord Armstrong’s Elswick shipyard in the late 19th Century to the more recent role played by Japanese manufacturers such as Nissan in transforming the region’s industrial base, the story is one of shared interests and mutual benefits. The symposium concluded with a Japanese perspective on the new opportunities that may be emerging for the North East’s relationship with Japan and the relationship between Local Authorities of both countries.

 

The symposium was as follows:

 

Welcome

Professor Andrew Wathey, Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University

 

Session 1

Professor Marie Conte-Helm, Director General, The Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation

 

Session 2

Mr Trevor Mann, SVP Manufacturing for Nissan Europe and Managing Director for Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK

 

Question and answer session

 

Session 3

Consul General Kenichi Suganuma

 

Discussion

 

Conclusion and closing remarks

Councillor John Shipley, Leader of Newcastle City Council