Japan Society

The Japan Society, Swire House, 59 Buckingham Gate, London, SW1E 6AJ, England

Founded in 1891, The Japan Society is the longest established and principal organisation involved in Anglo-Japanese relations in Britain. It has a wide basis of membership and no sectarian interests; membership is open to all as individuals or as companies. Whilst its primary objective is the dissemination, to the British audience, of the knowledge and understanding of the culture of the Japanese, it also seeks to provide a forum for social and cultural exchanges between the Japanese living in Britain and the local community. Because of its age and the breadth of its aim, it also fulfils a co-ordinating role in many Anglo-Japanese activities. The Society is based in London but welcomes any opportunity to extend the scope of its activities throughout Britain in the pursuit of knowledge, friendship and mutual understanding.

We are a learned society with an educational objective, providing lectures, publications, visits and other events with the purpose of enhancing the mutual understanding of the cultures, societies and economic relations between Britain and Japan. We interpret the word 'culture' as being 'how the other person thinks' and, in deepening this understanding, we fulfil a key mission by helping to create a better climate within which activities of all types can take place. This is of immense importance, particularly in view of the increasingly close industrial, commercial and cultural relations between the two countries.