UK Japan programmes have launched in Tokyo to encourage investment, grow future leaders and strengthen connections, proving that even friendship now requires a reception, a ballroom and enough name badges to identify everyone who already knows everyone.
UK Japan programmes discover that connection needs a launch event
The three programmes form part of the MUSUBI Initiative, a public private partnership covering youth, sustainable development and cultural exchange. MUSUBI takes its name from a Japanese concept meaning connection or tying together. This is helpful because modern institutions rarely allow a connection to occur without first giving it a title, a logo and a carefully timed announcement.
A British Embassy Tokyo reception marked the launch. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh attended with senior officials, business leaders, educators and cultural figures from both countries. They gathered to celebrate cooperation, presumably after deciding which nation could claim credit when the resulting partnership eventually develops a partnership to explain itself.
UK Japan programmes put connection in a display case
The programmes include a mentorship scheme for emerging female leaders, a career support network for women in finance and work to develop MUSUBI into an independent foundation. Connection has therefore been given a complete administrative journey. First, people meet. Then, they exchange opportunities. Finally, the connection receives governance and waits for its next meeting.
“Connection is the future,” said Venetia, Keeper of the Ceremonial Handshake. “We are bringing together government, industry, academia and civil society, then separating them into four rooms so nobody forms an unscheduled alliance.”
The initiative aims to create meaningful, long term connections and grow a new generation of leaders in the UK and Japan. It is an ambitious objective. Most organisations struggle to grow new leaders without first asking the existing leaders to introduce them by email, preferably after a reception where everybody has been photographed looking connected.
The public private partnership also offers a neat division of labour. Public bodies provide the language of the future. Private bodies provide the networking. Cultural figures provide atmosphere. The name badges provide the only visible proof that the connection has not wandered into another ballroom.
The UK Japan programmes now begin their journey through youth, sustainability and cultural exchange. Their first achievement is already secure. They have connected a promise of meaningful relationships to a room full of people who were invited because their relationships were meaningful enough to begin with.
Source: British Embassy Tokyo.
