Senior members of the Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid team joined a trade visit to Japan from 13 to 17 January.

Interim CEO Gus Williams and International Trade Manager David Peña are part of a delegation visiting Kyūshū, the third-largest island of Japan’s four main islands, as part of the Wales-Japan Innovation Twins programme organised by the Connected Places Catapult network of Innovate UK.

The Wales-Japan Innovation Twins programme aims to establish long-term research and innovation links between Welsh and Japanese cities and regions to create opportunities for bilateral trade and foreign direct investment, while leveraging the innovative strengths of SMEs and larger companies, universities and civic organisations.

The programme focuses on themes like economic development, mobility, SME support and technology and aims to address common challenges and potential areas for collaboration. For both Wales and Japan, Connected Places Catapult identified areas such as the creative industries, manufacturing, net zero and semiconductors.

The duo joins Chamber member Cardiff University, and other businesses, academic institutions, local authorities and corporate joint committees from the Cardiff and Swansea regions such as Tramshed Tech, Swansea University, Neath Port Talbot County Borough Council and Swansea Bay City Deal to explore the potential of the Fukuoka Prefecture region of Kyūshū.

The trip includes opportunities to meet with businesses, universities, innovative project leaders and local Chambers of Commerce in Fukuoka and Kitakyushu to explore how to collaborate, stimulate growth and find synergies to benefit Chamber members, as well as visits to important cultural sites such as the Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine and Kokura Castle.