Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Japan

Thursday 15 December 2022 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Conservative Government concluded the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement in 2021.
  • Charlotte Nichols visited Japan with the British Council to promote UK arts and culture.
  • The British Council works closely with the UK government on education exports and opportunities.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement and seeks details on steps to increase trade with Japan.

Question

What steps she is taking to increase trade with Japan. In 2021, the Conservative Government concluded the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement—the first major trade deal that the UK struck as an independent trading nation. That agreement provides significant opportunities for British business in Japan and goes further than the previous EU deal.

Answer from Greg Hands

In 2021, the Conservative Government concluded the UK-Japan comprehensive economic partnership agreement—the first major trade deal that the UK struck as an independent trading nation. That agreement provides significant opportunities for British business in Japan and goes further than the previous EU deal. It also strengthens our case for accession to the comprehensive and progressive agreement for trans-Pacific partnership. The UK Government are also working hard to reduce barriers to trade in Japan—for example, last year, we secured market access for UK poultry, which is worth £65 million over five years.

Answered
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Q2 Charlotte Nichols Lab Warrington North
Culture, Media & Sport Business & Trade
Context

The MP visited Japan with the British Council, observing its efforts to promote UK arts and culture and strengthen trading relationships. She inquires about the Department's work with the British Council on boosting international trade.

Question

Last month, I visited Japan with the British Council where I saw its fantastic work to promote UK arts and culture and to strengthen our trading relationship with a key ally in the Indo-Pacific region. Does the Minister agree that the British Council is a soft power powerhouse, and can he tell me what work the Department does with it to boost trade around the world?

Answer from Greg Hands

I thank the hon. Lady for that question. We work closely with all aspects of UK hard and soft power abroad and we frequently work with the British Council, particularly on our education exports, which are a huge sector and a huge opportunity for this country. We engage regularly with the British Council to ensure that the DIT is at the forefront of our educational offer in particular and that the ties of friendship promoted by the British Council feed through into our commercial relationship. There is no better example of that than our excellent recent deal with Japan.

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