Background to Daiwa Foundation Japan House

Daiwa Foundation Japan House is located at 13/14 Cornwall Terrace on the south side of Regent’s Park. Cornwall Terrace was designed in 1820 by Decimus Burton under the guidance of the Crown Architect, John Nash. From 1885 to 1893, No. 13 Cornwall Terrace was home to Sir Arthur Lasenby Liberty, founder of Liberty & Co. The leasehold was purchased by the Daiwa Anglo-Japanese Foundation in 1993 to create a centre for UK-Japan relations in London.

Daiwa Foundation Japan House was opened on 14 July 1994 by then British Foreign Secretary, Douglas Hurd, as a centre for academic and cultural activities relating to Japan. The Japan House events programme plays an important role in increasing the understanding of Japan in Britain. It provides a forum for discussion and exchange and creates opportunities to foster new networks and collaborations.

The Japan House programme includes:

• An annual seminar series addressing topical issues affecting the UK and Japan in a comparative framework
• Specialist lectures and seminars involving guest speakers from Japan
• Book launch events highlighting new research and writing on Japan
• An annual programme of exhibitions and associated activities in the Japan House Gallery
• Courses and workshops introducing aspects of Japanese culture
• The hosting of meetings and events relating to Japan and aspects of Anglo-Japanese relations
• The hosting of academic visitors from Japan in the Centre for Visiting Academics

The Foundation periodically takes its Japan House programme to other venues in London and to other regions of the UK.