On July 30, 2025, Ms. Jacqui Smith, UK Minister for Skills, and Minister for Women and Equalities, visited the Japan Association of National Universities (JANU) and engaged in an exchange of views with Mr. Teruo Fujii, President of JANU, and others.

From the UK Department for Education, the visiting delegation included Ms. Jacqui Smith, UK Minister for Skills, and Minister for Women and Equalities, Ms. Bethan Dinning, Head of International Partnerships, China and Asia Pacific, and Ms. Hannah Deighan-Smith, Permanent First Secretary. They were accompanied by Mr. Jim Booth, Country Director of the British Council Japan, along with two other representatives.

From JANU, in addition to Mr. Teruo Fujii, President of JANU, Ms. Kayoko Hayashi, Senior Managing Director, and Mr. Yoshinori Murata, Managing Director, also participated in the discussions.

The parties exchanged views on the current situation and challenges related to the national university reform, the recruitment and support of international students, and academic exchange and collaboration between Japanese and UK universities.

JANU will continue to further deepen exchanges in the field of higher education between Japan and the UK.

From left: Ms. Bethan Dinning, Head of International Partnerships, China and Asia Pacific; Ms. Hannah Deighan-Smith, Permanent First Secretary; Ms. Kayoko Hayashi, Senior Managing Director of JANU; Ms. Jacqui Smith, UK Minister for Skills, and Minister for Women and Equalities; Mr. Teruo Fujii, President of JANU; Mr. Jim Booth, Country Director; and Mr. Yoshinori Murata, Managing Director of JANU