About us

Missions, aims & governance

The mission of JLGC London is to strengthen the international capacity and global engagement of Japan’s local governments by providing a dedicated base in Europe.
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JLGC supports the multicultural efforts of local governments in Japan through information provision, policy support, and dispatching of staff.

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JLGC also supports local governments’ economic exchange efforts with other countries through offering policy support, financial and logistical assistance with projects, and various training opportunities.

JLGC London provides Japan’s local governments with a shared international platform, using it to learn from European policy and governance, build partnerships, and promote our regions overseas. JLGC London supports international engagement while strengthening Japanese municipalities collective global presence.
Mission

The mission of JLGC London is to strengthen the international capacity and global engagement of Japan’s local governments by providing a dedicated base in Europe. We exist to facilitate meaningful, practical connections between Japanese prefectures, cities, and their counterparts in the UK and wider Europe, supporting long-term collaboration in local governance, economic development, and public policy. Our overarching purpose is to enhance mutual understanding and enable subnational governments to operate effectively in an international context.

Aims

Our core aims are to support Japanese local authorities in three main areas:

  • International cooperation and exchange – enabling structured relationships between Japanese and European local governments and public sector staff, including study visits, delegations, and institutional partnerships.
  • Information and policy support – providing analysis and insight into UK and European administrative systems, policy trends, and governance frameworks to inform local government decision-making in Japan.
  • Local government internationalisation – assisting with activities such as regional branding, visitor economy, investment support, and knowledge exchange across sectors including urban development, education, sustainability, and public services.

Through these functions, we help local governments operate more effectively overseas without requiring permanent local representation.

Our governance

JLGC London operates as part of the broader institutional framework of the Council of Local Authorities for International Relations. It is overseen by CLAIR headquarters in Tokyo and functions within a coordinated system of overseas offices.

Governance is structured through a combination of oversight and operational management. Strategic direction is set by CLAIR in consultation with Japan’s national government, particularly the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, which has responsibility for local government affairs. JLGC is managed locally by a Director General and professional staff, typically including secondees from Japanese local governments and relevant public sector bodies. Funding is primarily derived from contributions by Japanese prefectural and municipal governments through CLAIR, ensuring that JLGC remains accountable to its member local authorities while aligned with national policy frameworks.