Japanese companies have invested over £117 million in Greater Manchester in the last 12 months, setting the stage for the signing of a Sister City agreement later today (5th September).
The Mayor Yokoyama from the major Japanese city of Osaka took part in an ambitious Japan Week Business Programme hosted at the offices of Deloitte, where delegates discussed how to build on a recent multi-million-pound investment surge which includes major commitments from Astemo (£100 million, creating 200 jobs) Mizkan (£17 million) and Daikin (£900,000, new training centre), demonstrating Greater Manchester’s position as the UK’s leading destination for Japanese business expansion outside London.
The Japan Week Business Programme featured a Greater Manchester Japan Business Seminar – celebrating recent investments, exploring future trade opportunities and showcasing Greater Manchester’s success in attracting Japanese investment.
During the mission, MIDAS and Osaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry signed a Memorandum of Agreement to strengthen business collaboration, support more trade and facilitate further investment opportunities between the two regions.
Greater Manchester has become the natural UK base for Japanese companies, particularly in advanced manufacturing, with global leaders including Astemo, NGK, Hitachi, Shimadzu and Daikin establishing significant operations across the city-region. The city region is home to over 25 Japanese businesses, including Sharp, Dentsu, BDP, Brother and Sun Chemical.
The investment achievements follow a successful Greater Manchester delegation mission to Japan in June 2025, which strengthened existing partnerships and opened new channels for Japanese investment across the city region’s key sectors.
Ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki
The delegation mission saw Greater Manchester business and civic leaders engage with political figures, trade officials and major Japanese corporations across Tokyo and Osaka.
Manchester being voted the best-performing UK city outside London for attracting foreign direct investment projects in 2024 – for the third time in five years – reinforces the city-region’s growing international appeal. Japan represents one of Greater Manchester’s most significant economic partnerships, with the city-region exporting £99 million worth of goods to Japan in 2022, while service exports reached £151 million in 2021.
The programme represents the business dimension of the broader Japan Week 2025 festival taking place on 4th-9th September 2025, marking the 50th anniversary of this prestigious international cultural celebration.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “In recent years we have focused on strengthening our ties with Japan and it’s fantastic to see this this translate into significant investment by Japanese companies over the past 12 months. These investments are delivering jobs and opportunities that will benefit people across Greater Manchester.
“Japan Week promises to be a celebration of these partnerships and a showcase of Japanese culture.
“The success we’ve achieved over the past year shows that Greater Manchester has become the natural choice for Japanese companies looking to expand in the UK. We are a city region with a global reach and now we have a plan to kickstart another decade of growth by delivering jobs, supporting innovation and attracting new industries.”
Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, said: “Greater Manchester’s economy continues to go from strength to strength, with these substantial Japanese investments demonstrating the confidence international businesses have in our city-region.
“The £117 million invested by Japanese companies over the last 12 months is a testament to our exceptional growth story.
“Japan Week will highlight how our diverse, resilient economy provides the perfect foundation for Japanese companies to establish and expand their UK operations, and I look forward to welcoming Japanese business leaders to Manchester.”
Joe Manning, Managing Director at MIDAS, Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, said: “These substantial investments from Japan create real opportunities for our residents and businesses. With over £117 million in confirmed investment, we’re seeing the tangible benefits of our international partnerships.
“The Japan Week Business programme provides the perfect platform to showcase these results and build on the momentum created through our strengthened relationships with Japanese investors and partners.”
Joe Manning will be speaking about Manchester’s international strategy at our Greater Manchester business conference on the 1st of October.
AloJapan.com