London Tokyo Finance Seminar
The City of London Corporation and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December 2017, marking the beginning of a strengthened financial partnership. One of the key highlights of this relationship is the annual Tokyo-London Finance Seminar. The most recent, the 9th edition, took place at Ironmongers’ Hall in London, drawing its largest audience to date with around 150 delegates. The event featured keynote speeches from The Rt Hon. the Lord Mayor Alastair King, Tokyo Governor Yuriko Koike (via video link), His Excellency Mr. SUZUKI Hiroshi, Ambassador of Japan to the UK, and other esteemed financial leaders. Discussions covered key financial trends, regulatory alignment, and asset management, further solidifying the close ties between the two financial centres.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government (TMG) and the City of London Corporation are deepening their collaboration to bolster their positions as leading global financial hubs. With both cities at the forefront of international finance, their partnership focuses on fintech, green finance, and regulatory cooperation to drive innovation and investment.
In 2017, TMG and the City of London signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen financial ties. This agreement has facilitated knowledge exchange on financial regulations, fintech advancements, and sustainable finance. London’s fintech ecosystem has served as a model for Tokyo, which is seeking to enhance its financial services sector and attract global investors.
Green finance has emerged as a key pillar of their collaboration. Tokyo has introduced initiatives like the Tokyo Green Finance Market, while London remains a leader in green bonds and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) investing. Both cities are working towards aligning their financial sectors with global sustainability goals.
Regulatory dialogue between the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Japan’s Financial Services Agency (FSA) has also strengthened, benefiting firms operating in both markets. This cooperation comes at a crucial time, as the UK deepens its financial and economic ties with Japan under the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) post-Brexit.
The UK-Japan CEPA presents significant opportunities for UK businesses by reducing tariffs, improving market access, and fostering regulatory alignment. Sectors such as financial services, digital trade, and professional services stand to benefit from streamlined operations and increased investment flows. The agreement also provides a framework for deeper collaboration in emerging areas like AI, cybersecurity, and digital banking, making Japan a more accessible and attractive market for UK enterprises.
As global financial landscapes evolve, the partnership between Tokyo and London is expected to play a vital role in fostering stability, innovation, and investment across international markets.
