Winners of British Business Awards in Japan announced

In one of the busiest years ever of bilateral ties, the best of British innovation, entrepreneurship, diversity and social contributions in Japan was recognized on Friday in a spectacular gala event with a record 400 guests at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo.

Thirty-three innovative firms and individuals had been nominated in five categories. Nominees came from global corporations, SMEs, NPOs and entrepreneurs in a diverse variety of sectors.

Organized by the British Chamber of Commerce in Japan (BCCJ)—with winners chosen by a panel of six distinguished and independent judges from government, industry, sport and academia—the British Business Awards (BBA) has become one of the largest annual events organised by the foreign business community in Japan. Established in 2008 to mark the 60th anniversary of the BCCJ, the BBA is a unique showcase for British creativity, culture and commerce, said organizers

British Ambassador to Japan, Paul Madden CMG, presented awards to the winners and praised British innovation and diversity. "I am particularly pleased to be here as the chamber celebrates its 70th anniversary. This has been a very busy year in Britain-Japan relations," he said, adding that UK goods exports to Japan had increased by some 22 percent in the financial year 2017-18.

BCCJ Executive Director Lori Henderson MBE said: “The BBA is the one night of the year where we all come together under one roof to celebrate great partnerships. The UK-Japan relationship really is alive and kicking.

Many analysts say UK-Japan ties have never been stronger. In defense, Japan this year welcomed an unprecedented three Royal Navy warships and held its first joint exercises here with the British Army. A number of UK ministers had also visited Tokyo to reassure Japan of the UK’s intentions after Brexit. And Japan said in October it would welcome the UK’s joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe possibly visiting London later this year. Next year, meanwhile, some 40,000 Britons are expected to visit Japan for the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

The BBA winners are:

Company of the Year

AstraZeneca KK: For marketing seven new treatments including for cancers, asthma, and acid reflux.

Entrepreneur of the Year

Noriko Sawayama (BABID): For revolutionizing the interior design world in Japan by introducing the dynamism of the British model.

UK-Japan Partnership award

Japan House London & Partners: Since opening in June, has quickly established itself as the new cultural home of Japan in London.

Diversity and Inclusion award

GlaxoSmithKline KK: Created an inclusive workplace to attract and retain talented people from all backgrounds and cultures.

Social / Environmental Contribution

ES: A leading provider of logistics funding and managing and well known for establishing state-of-the-art distribution centers in Japan.

The judges were: Sir Tim Hitchens CMG LVO, president of Wolfson College at the University of Oxford; Caz Walton OBE, British Paralympic Association project manager for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games; Andy Palmer CMG, CEO of Aston Martin; Kazuko Kon MBE, former commercial officer at the British Embassy Tokyo for 40 years; Marin Minamiya, the youngest person to climb Mount Everest; and Toshihiko Niizaki, representative director of BT Japan.

Simon Farrell is publisher at BBA media partner Custom Media.

© Japan Today