The UK’s Ambassador to Japan, Julia Longbottom, visited a selection of Portsmouth businesses and attractions on July 3rd, to boost economic ties as part of a new roadshow launched by the Foreign Secretary David Lammy to drive growth in every part of the UK.

Ambassador Longbottom met with the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth City Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson and Natalie Brahma-Pearl, Chief Executive of Portsmouth City Council, and our CEO Dominic Jones FRSA, when Her Excellency came to the Mary Rose Museum.

Portsmouth is a key centre of Japanese trade and investment within the Hampshire region, in part due to the strength of its maritime, defence and advanced manufacturing sectors.

Ambassador Longbottom said: “It’s exciting to be in Portsmouth as part of this first-of-its-kind roadshow – going the extra mile to develop relationships that will help us supercharge growth to every corner of the UK. The UK Government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Trade Strategy are making Britain the best country to do business with – and that is the message I’m giving, loud and clear, to businesses in Japan. Japanese companies are choosing to invest and create jobs in the UK because of our skilled workforce, our world-class innovation, and our deep, trusted partnership with Japan. Portsmouth has all of these, and it’s my job to put Portsmouth on the map in Japan. That’s why I’m in Portsmouth today – exploring new opportunities both for local companies seeking to export to Japan, and to understand how Japanese companies can invest and create more jobs and growth here. I am particularly excited by Portsmouth’s strong defence industrial base, cutting-edge technology, and advanced manufacturing sector. These are all fantastic opportunities for partnership with Japan. I look forward to building on these opportunities further, including when the Royal Navy’s flagship aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales visits Japan later this year as part of her deployment to the Indo-Pacific. Having set sail from Portsmouth in April, this is just another example of the strong links between Portsmouth and Japan.”

During her visit to the Mary Rose, the Ambassador spoke with staff and volunteers, tried lifting and drawing a replica Tudor longbow, and viewed the ship from different deck levels she discovered its rich history and what it took for it to be raised from the bottom of the Solent.

Dominic Jones, CEO of the Mary Rose Trust, said: “It was an honour to welcome Ambassador Longbottom to the Mary Rose Museum—home to the world’s largest collection of everyday Tudor artefacts. We were delighted to share the story of the Mary Rose, history’s greatest maritime archaeological salvage project, and its ongoing significance to Portsmouth’s heritage. We hope Her Excellency enjoyed her visit.”

Japan is now the UK’s 15th largest trading partner. Ambassador Longbottom will use the roadshow visit to build on figures which show total trade between UK and Japan was £27.1 billion in 2024 – with many companies across Hampshire benefiting.