JLGC London has been located in Whitehall for over 30 years as a base for Japan's local government in the UK
Our office is staffed by seconded officers from Japan's municipalities and Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and experienced local staff
Based in London, we operate as part of a wider global network that connects Japanese prefectures, cities, and regional governments with counterparts across the United Kingdom and Europe. Our role is to act as a practical bridge between subnational governments, enabling structured exchange, cooperation, and mutual understanding in public policy and local governance.
Our work focuses on supporting Japanese local governments in their international activities. This includes providing information and analysis on UK and European political and administrative systems, facilitating study visits and delegations, and helping regions develop international partnerships. We also support outward-facing activities such as investment promotion, tourism strategy development, and knowledge exchange in areas like urban planning, regional development, education, and sustainability.
JLGC is part of the broader organisation known as the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations, which coordinates and supports international activity by Japan’s local governments on a global scale. CLAIR operates overseas offices in key regions to provide on-the-ground expertise and networking support. It works in close coordination with Japan’s national government ministries, particularly the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, as well as other relevant ministries depending on policy areas such as foreign affairs, tourism, and regional revitalisation. This structure ensures that local government international engagement is aligned with national policy while remaining focused on the specific needs and priorities of prefectures and municipalities.
We operate as part of a broader institutional framework dedicated to strengthening subnational internationalisation. Through this, we help ensure that Japanese local authorities can maintain a consistent and informed presence in Europe without requiring permanent large-scale overseas offices. By doing so, we contribute to long-term collaboration, policy learning, and practical cooperation between local governments in Japan and across Europe.
For more than three decades, JLGC has used its deep expertise and extensive international network to provide practical support to local government stakeholders.
