The UK in JAPAN 2019-20, a high-profile and ambitious campaign to further strengthen the bilateral relationship and deepen the partnership as forward-looking global leaders was officially announced when Prime Minister Abe visited the UK in January 2019.

The campaign was launched in September 2019 to coincide with the hugely successful Rugby World Cup and featured a series of events and activities to showcase UK excellence in business, innovation, culture, arts and education in order to build closer relationships between the UK and Japan through networking, sharing knowledge and experiences, and collaborations.

The campaign was paused while all delivery partners focused on the global Covid-19 pandemic and their respective responses. Though the virus response remains a priority, the campaign will resume from September 2020 with much of the activity focusing on how the UK and Japan can recover and rebuild, and how we can support a sustainable global recovery.

The UK will continue to promote collaboration with Japan not just in business, science and innovation, but through culture, arts and education, and in particular will showcase the power of creative partnerships to enhance well-being and to champion inclusion. An online programme of UK art will include special performances and create a forum for new discussions. 

On the resumption of the UK in JAPAN campaign, British Ambassador to Japan, His Excellency Paul Madden CMG said;

We remain committed to strengthening our bilateral relationship with Japan as we operate in this “new normal”. We face the same global challenges; climate change, digitalisation, ageing society, the future of mobility as before, and the additional challenge of Covid-19 shows us that international collaboration is essential and no one country can tackle these issues alone.

The UK and Japan are natural partners and I look forward to using the UK in Japan campaign to increase partnerships across business, science, education and the arts that will make both our countries stronger.

The British Council, Japan, Country Director, Matthew Knowles said;

At the British Council, we have always believed that culture connects us. In the face of a truly global challenge, this is more important than ever. We are working to develop new creative partnerships between the UK and Japan that will draw on our respective strengths to support the recovery of the cultural sector.

The campaign will restart with a “CreativeTech GREAT Season” beginning with the first ever, all virtual London Tech Week – the UK’s biggest tech showcase – from 1 to 11 September. The main events such as “The Opportunity in London”,  “Global Leaders Innovation Summit” and “AI Summit“can be accessed virtually this year. Online pitch session showcasing the latest UK AI technology, introducing 5 high-potential UK AI companies with Smart Manufacturing specialities to fit the needs of the Japanese market. The spotlight on tech will continue throughout the autumn, with a particular focus on creative technology and digital innovation under the title of a “CreativeTech GREAT Season”.

And we will have a special online programme to share rich UK arts and culture and facilitate dialogues between UK and Japanese arts and creative sector.

The campaign will continue in to 2021, with much of the activity focused on a green and resilient recovery from Covid-19 – a particular priority as the UK prepares to host COP26 in November 2021.

For further information, please visit the official UK in JAPAN website

Twitter: @UKinJapan @jp_British @jpBritishArts

Facebook: @UKinJapan @BritishCouncilJapan @BritishCouncilJapanArts

Plans to clamp down on illegal deforestation and protect rainforests have been published by the government today (25 August) as it consults on a world-leading new law to clean up the UK’s supply chains.

The proposals would prohibit larger businesses operating in the UK from using products grown on land that was deforested illegally. These businesses would be required to carry out due diligence on their supply chains by publishing information to show where key commodities – for example, cocoa, rubber, soy and palm oil – came from and that they were produced in line with local laws protecting forests and other natural ecosystems.

Businesses that fail to comply would be subject to fines, with the precise level to be set at a later date.

Protecting forests is central to tackling climate change, with deforestation accounting for 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions. The vast majority of deforestation – 80% – is caused by the production of agricultural commodities and most deforestation – up to 90% in some countries – is illegal. The destruction and degradation of these vital habitats also increases the risk of extreme weather events, drives biodiversity loss, and exacerbates the spread of infectious diseases.

This approach is designed to work in tandem with the existing efforts of governments, communities and business in producer countries to enforce national laws, benefiting law-abiding producers and companies. The proposed legislation makes clear that illegally produced commodities have no place in the UK market, as we build back greener from coronavirus.

International Environment Minister Lord Goldsmith, said:

We have all seen the devastating pictures of the world’s most precious forests being cleared, often illegally, and we can’t afford not to act as a country. There is a hugely important connection between the products we buy and their wider environmental footprint, which is why the government is consulting today on new measures that would make it illegal for businesses in the UK to use commodities that are not grown in accordance with local laws.

Ahead of hosting the UN Climate Change Conference next year, the UK has a duty to lead the way in combatting the biodiversity and nature crisis now upon us.

There has been a lot of progress already to make the UK’s supply chains more sustainable, but more needs to be done. We will continue to work closely with farmers, business and governments around the world to ensure that we can protect our vital forests and support livelihoods as we build back greener from coronavirus.

Today’s move follows the establishment of Government’s independent taskforce – the Global Resource Initiative (GRI) – formed in 2019 to consider how the UK could ‘green’ international supply chains and leave a lighter footprint on the global environment by slowing the loss of forests.

Sir Ian Cheshire, the chair of the independent taskforce, said:

Every day, British consumers buy food and other products which are contributing to the loss of the world’s most precious forests.

We need to find ways of reducing this impact if we are to tackle climate change, reduce the risks of pandemics and protect the livelihoods of some of the poorest people in the world.

I’m delighted to see the Government respond to one of the key recommendations of the Global Resource Initiative. Starting a discussion on how changes in UK law could help us all to reduce our global footprint. I would encourage as many people as possible to respond to this important consultation.

Ruth Chambers, from the Greener UK coalition, said:

This consultation is a welcome first step in the fight to tackle the loss of our planet’s irreplaceable natural wonders such as the Amazon and in the pursuit of supply chains free from products that contribute to deforestation.

The evidence linking deforestation with climate change, biodiversity loss and the spread of zoonotic diseases is compelling. A new law is an important part of the solution and is urgently needed.

The proposal must now be tested thoroughly to ensure it will deliver the Government’s domestic and international environmental leadership ambitions.

The consultation will run for six weeks and seek views from UK and international stakeholders, and will take into consideration potential impacts on businesses and other interests. As part of its Presidency of COP26, the UK will continue to support a discussion between governments from around the world to tackle this important issue.

The Environment Secretary recently set out plans to deliver both for people and nature after the UK’s exit from the European Union, reaffirming that the government’s ambitious environmental programme will put nature at the heart of the UK’s green recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

Today’s move builds on the government’s recent commitment to double the UK’s contribution to International Climate Finance to £11.6bn from 2021-2025, including for nature-based solutions. In June, the government committed a further £16 million of funding to help scale up environmentally-friendly farming, forest conservation and replanting in the Amazon.

Feedback for the consultation is to be submitted online or via post. The Government is committed to addressing all major challenges identified in the GRI report and will set out our formal response later this year, showing leadership on these issues.

Many thanks, Mr President. Thank you also to our briefers, USG Voronkov and ASG Coninsx for their briefings. Their message was clear: ISIL has not gone away. They remain a present and evolving threat.

And I also want to extend our thanks to you, Mr President, for your stewardship of the resolution on terrorist prosecution, rehabilitation and reintegration, which we hope to adopt shortly. The united voice of this Council in condemning terrorism sends an important message. So we’re very grateful for your courageous efforts.

Turning to today’s debate, the United Kingdom welcomes the Secretary-General’s report on the threat posed by Daesh to international peace and security. We thank the Monitoring Team, CTED and OCT for their work. We have long been clear that the continued Daesh threat emanating from Syria and Iraq poses the most significant terrorism threat to the international community, as well as to the UK specifically. The UK is the leading member of the Global Coalition to Counter Daesh, and we work closely with the United States and the United Arab Emirates on efforts to counter Daesh’s propaganda.

We are steadfast in our commitment to ensuring accountability for Daesh crimes. Today, we remember the appalling Daesh crimes committed against the Yazidi people in Sinjar six years ago. We strongly support the work of UNITAD and in June, in conjunction with Nadia Murad, we launched the draft Murad Code to ensure investigation into sexual violence crimes is safer, more ethical and more effective.

We noted the report’s findings on the intersection between Covid-19 and counterterrorism. We provide extensive humanitarian assistance to states and partners to stem the impact of Covid outbreaks in conflict zones. The UK is closely monitoring the worrying Covid situation in Syria, and I urge fellow Council members to do the same.

We note also the report’s points regarding online Daesh propaganda. We stress the need to address the conditions that Daesh exploits to mobilise support and resources. We should be clear that this is not an issue constrained Daesh and its affiliates or splinter groups. The threat from right-wing terrorism has evolved and is growing, as USG Voronkov pointed out. The United Kingdom continues to act to undermine the growth of right-wing extremism and terrorism, including online, through the proscription of these groups in the United Kingdom. And we call on the international community to take a firm stand against all forms of terrorism.

The UK is clear that those individuals who have fought for or supported Daesh, whatever their nationality, should face justice and accountability through prosecution in the most appropriate jurisdiction, often in the region where the crimes took place. The UN should support the international community in the prosecution of Daesh criminals in the region where their crimes have been committed.

I remind the Council that justice mechanisms must be consistent with international law and must respect human rights and the rule of law, as well as ensuring fair trials and due process. This should be the case for all counterterrorism and national security measures undertaken by members of this Council. Under no circumstances should the mantle of counterterrorism or national security be used to justify actions that undermine these principles.

This applies across the world, including in Xinjiang, in China. We remain deeply concerned about the systematic, egregious human rights violations perpetrated against Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, which UN experts have said is incompatible with China’s international human rights obligations. Our concerns are shared by other members of the international community, as demonstrated by the recent joint statement the UK delivered on Xinjiang on behalf of the 28 countries at the 44th session of the Human Rights Council in June.

We call on China to allow the Human Rights Commission of the Human Rights Office immediate and unfettered access to Xinjiang.

The UK is clear that such disproportionate, wide-reaching and indiscriminate measures are not an effective means of preventing violent extremism or counterterrorism. Ultimately, they will be counterproductive and exacerbate ethnic tensions and the risk of terrorism.

Mr President, Daesh’s global footprint should remain a significant concern for the entire international community. The UN must continue to play a central role in building states’ capacity to assess the risks posed by Daesh and to counter their poisonous ideology.

• Figures show number of people in Wales receiving support through the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) and Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) rose last month;
• 110,000 people in the country are now benefitting from the self employment grants;
• More than 400,000 jobs in Wales have been furloughed ensuring people can return to work after the outbreak

New statistics show the support Wales has received from the government’s income support schemes rose last month.

The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) and the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) were announced by the Chancellor at the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March as part of a package of measures to support jobs, businesses and individuals affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

22,400 more people in Wales are benefitting from the furlough scheme than were in June, taking the total number to 400,800.

2,000 more people are receiving the SEISS grant, with the cost of the SEISS scheme so far in Wales £295 million for a total of 110,000 claims.

Rishi Sunak, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:

Our unprecedented support schemes have helped thousands of hard working people across Wales and protected Welsh businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.

As we enter the next stage of the economic recovery, our Plan for Jobs will ensure jobs are created and sustained.

Secretary of State for Wales Simon Hart said:

The coronavirus pandemic remains an unprecedented challenge but the UK Government continues to provide unprecedented levels of support to ensure Wales’s economy will bounce back and our recovery is as swift as possible.

Our support schemes have supported the livelihoods of thousands across Wales. Along with incentives such as the Job Retention Bonus and the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, we are backing businesses and workers as we get the economy moving again.

Today’s statistics show the latest regional breakdown of support across the country up until the 31st July , and that the use of CJRS support between the countries and regions of the UK is broadly proportionate to each country and region’s shares of employment.

The CJRS scheme will run until the end of October to continue the support for jobs and businesses as people return to work.

Applications for the second SEISS grant opened this week, with those eligible able to claim a second and final grant of up to £6570.

The two schemes are part of a comprehensive economic support package for individuals and businesses including loans, grants, income tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, and mortgage holidays.

The Chancellor has also set out the government’s Plan for Jobs to support, protect and create jobs up and down the country, including the Job Retention Bonus to encourage businesses to keep on furloughed workers.

Notes for editors

1. The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and Self-Employment Income Support Scheme Official statistics will be updated every month and can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmrc-coronavirus-covid-19-statistics

2. More information about the CJRS can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-for-wages-through-the-coronavirus-job-retention-scheme

3. More information about the SEISS can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/claim-a-grant-through-the-coronavirus-covid-19-self-employment-income-support-scheme

4. Data provided in this news release is to midnight on 31 July 2020.