The UK and Japan co-hosted a Women’s Economic Empowerment forum at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, on August 8, 2025, marking a significant step in advancing women’s roles in trade and leadership.
This event, part of the UK-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), emphasized reducing barriers for women entrepreneurs and SMEs.
Empowering Women Entrepreneurs
The forum highlighted the UK’s commitment to fostering inclusive economic growth by embedding women’s economic empowerment within its trade agreements.
By focusing on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), which constitute 99.8% of UK businesses, the event aimed to boost women-led SME exports to Japan.
This initiative opens new pathways for UK professionals and businesses to access the Japanese market, potentially increasing revenues and international partnerships.
Opportunities for Growth
- First UK free trade agreement with a dedicated Women’s Economic Empowerment chapter.
- Focus on increasing women-led SME exports to Japan.
- Panels featuring senior leaders from diverse sectors like finance and pharmaceuticals.
- Speed mentoring sessions offering practical advice from industry experts.
- Networking reception encouraging further collaboration between UK and Japanese entrepreneurs.
Insights from Industry Leaders
The event featured insights from senior leaders across various sectors such as finance, pharmaceuticals, and luxury goods. These leaders shared their experiences in leadership and inclusion through speed mentoring sessions.
Carolyn Davidson, UK Commissioner General for Expo 2025, emphasized the alignment of this forum with the UK’s Expo theme “Come build the future,” showcasing female entrepreneurs as drivers of innovation and trade.
A Platform for Collaboration
This forum builds upon earlier seminars held virtually and in Japan earlier in 2025. It reflects an ongoing commitment since the CEPA came into effect in 2021—the first UK FTA to include a dedicated chapter on women’s economic empowerment.
The event aligns with the UK’s broader Plan for Change strategy aimed at fostering inclusive growth and diversity in trade.
Additional Reading
A Final Reflection
The Women’s Economic Empowerment forum at Expo 2025 Osaka underscores a pivotal moment in UK-Japan relations by integrating gender-inclusive policies into major trade agreements.
This initiative not only supports women entrepreneurs but also strengthens bilateral ties, setting a precedent for future international collaborations focused on inclusive economic growth.
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Sources: UK Government, Expo 2025 Official Programme, and Department for Business and Trade.
Prepared by Ivan Alexander Golden, Founder of THX News™, an independent news organization delivering timely insights from global official sources. Combines AI-analyzed research with human-edited accuracy and context.
