His excellency Hiroshi Suzuki visited Wilkin & Sons in Tiptree, Essex, recently to mark 140 years of jam making and the 40th anniversary of exports to Japan.
The visit was arranged by Dame Priti Patel, Conservative MP for Witham, who joined the ambassador for a tour of the farm and factory, and a discussion over tea.
She said: “Wilkin & Sons have put Tiptree on the map producing their world-famous jams and growing range of food and drinks.
“They are one of Britain’s best brands and it was a privilege to welcome ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki on his visit to Tiptree and discuss the friendship and enduring ties between our countries.”
The visit was organised by Dame Priti Patel, MP (Image: Paul Starr for Wilkin & Sons Ltd) During the tour, ambassador Suzuki visited the strawberry fields and watched the production of Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve.
He said: “Thank you for your very kind invitation, I learnt so much.
“Before I arrived in the UK in December, I asked my colleagues in London to buy milk, bread and Tiptree Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve.
“It has been a dream come true to come here, where the fruits are grown.
“I am so proud that you have been exporting Tiptree preserves to Japan for 40 years.”
Ambassador Suzuki visited the strawberry fields on his visit (Image: Paul Starr for Wilkin & Sons Ltd) Chris Newenham, joint managing director of Wilkin & Sons, thanked the ambassador for his visit.
He said: “We are very grateful to you for your time today and thank you for your kind comments regarding your visit; we always try hard to continue innovating and are lucky to have such an excellent team.”
The ambassador was welcomed to Tiptree by Peter Wilkin, great-grandson of founder Arthur Charles Wilkin.
Wilkin & Sons first began making jam in 1885.
AloJapan.com