A Japanese manufacturer has announced a multimillion-pound investment in Greater Manchester as the city-region begins a week-long trade mission to Tokyo and Osaka.
The Greater Manchester delegation has arrived in Japan today for a mission to promote trade and investment and strengthen links on culture, net zero and innovation.
As the visit begins, food manufacturer Mizkan, which makes both Sarson’s Vinegar and Japanese vinegar products at its factory in Middleton, has announced a £17 million investment. Mizkan will use the investment to upskill staff, expand and refurbish its facilities, and develop new products.
The Greater Manchester delegation is one of the largest ever taken by a UK city-region to Japan.
Led by Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and Greater Manchester Economy Lead and Leader of Manchester City Council, Cllr Bev Craig, it includes representatives from the Department for Business and Trade, MIDAS – Manchester’s Inward Investment Agency, Manchester Airport, Co-operatives UK, The University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University, and Electricity North West.
A wide range of businesses and cultural organisations are also joining the mission, including The Hallé, Daikin, Panasonic and Deloitte.
Beginning in Tokyo before travelling to Osaka for EXPO 2025 – the biggest international event of the decade – the programme of engagement builds on the previous mission to Japan, which took place in December 2023.
During that mission Greater Manchester signed a partnership with the city of Osaka to strengthen trade links and co-operation. Since then, the regions have been collaborating on a programme of activities at EXPO 2025, with a dedicated Manchester Day set to take place on the UK Pavilion on Thursday 19 June.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “At EXPO 2025 the world’s spotlight will be on Osaka, and our partnership with the city gives us a once-in-a-generation opportunity to put Greater Manchester on the global stage.
“As we begin our mission to Japan, we are celebrating a significant investment by Mizkan. We met with the company on our last mission to Japan two years ago, while I had the opportunity to visit the company’s Middleton plant earlier this month. Their investment is hugely encouraging and their continued commitment to Greater Manchester is fantastic to see.
“Through our continued engagement with Japanese businesses, we want to create new relationships, opening up opportunities for trade and attracting the investment that will create jobs and prosperity for people across Greater Manchester.”
Mizkan’s UK CEO, Chikara Tanaka, said: “Mizkan is excited to be investing in the future of our long-established Middleton factory, developing our people and equipping ourselves for innovation and growth, particularly within premium and Japanese vinegars.”
Japan is one of the city-region’s most important economic partners, with about 25 Japanese companies in Greater Manchester, including Mizkan, Daikin and Astemo.
Greater Manchester companies exported £99m worth of goods to Japan in 2022, and in 2021 service exports from the city-region to Japan were valued at £151m – putting Japan in Greater Manchester’s top 10 service export markets.
The country is also a major market for foreign direct investment (FDI) into the UK. Last year it was in the top 10 countries for FDI, with investments by Japanese companies creating more than 1,200 jobs across the UK.
The mission to Japan follows a three-day visit to Singapore, where Greater Manchester leaders met with collaboration across economic development, innovation, investment, and inclusive growth.
As the world’s only modern city state, Singapore’s joined-up approach to government, economic development and infrastructure offers key insights for Greater Manchester as the UK’s most devolved city-region.
In Japan, the Greater Manchester delegation will meet with Japanese political leaders, trade officials, and businesses, with the aim of strengthening civic, trade, and cultural links.
The mission will begin in Tokyo, where the Mayor and Cllr Craig will host an evening reception at the British Embassy with Ambassador of the UK to Japan, Julia Longbottom CMG.
The delegation will meet with senior representatives from Japanese companies – including Daikin and Panasonic, who have partnered with Greater Manchester to accelerate the city-region’s net zero transition and grow the low carbon technology industry.
In Osaka, a special reception will be hosted by the Mayor of Osaka, Hideyuki Yokoyama.
Manchester Day at EXPO 2025 will feature the premiere of BLOOM, an original cultural performance that celebrates Greater Manchester’s dynamic creative scene and its enduring relationship with Japan.
Developed by From The Other, DJ AFRODEUTSCHE, dance company Company Chameleon, and Belladonis, the live performance will also feature a string ensemble from the world-renowned Hallé orchestra.
