What’s happening? Key dates and events

Kitakyushu City Visit

Kitakyushu was ‘a home away from home’ for the Welsh Rugby Union, as the city turned red (quite literally in the case of the castle!) for Wales during the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Since then, the relationship has flourished, from twinning primary and secondary schools in Japan with those in Wales, to training coaches and referees in Kitakyushu

Wind Expo, Tokyo

Wales’ energy and environment sector employs over 58,000 people generating over £4.8 billion in revenue. The sector will be represented at Wind Expo, Japan’s largest Wind Energy Trade Show.

St David’s Day Reception, Tokyo

St. David’s Society St. David’s Day Dinner, Tokyo

St David’s Day (March 1st) is the day we celebrate our patron saint and all things Welsh. When we remember his famous guiding words: gwnewch y pethau bychain — "do the little things". We invite everyone around the globe to join us - wherever they are in the world.  The Welsh Government will hold a reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence on 28 February and, on our national day, the St David’s Society dinner will take place in Tokyo. Creativity is at the heart of Welsh life, and it will be showcased here by the Urdd - an inclusive, welcoming, Welsh youth movement.

Foodex, Japan 

Welsh Government, alongside Welsh food and drink companies, will exhibit at FoodEx, as the trade show marks its 50th anniversary in 2025. 

Tongwynlais Temperance Band Tour, Tokyo

Tongwynlais’ brass band will take part in a week-long tour of the Tokyo area where they will take part in community performances with Japanese bands including Saitama Premier Brass band, Utsunomiya Brass Society, and Meiji Primary School. The shows will include a rendition of Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’- a world-renowned piece traditionally designed for classical orchestras not brass bands – as well as a performance of ‘The song of Wales’, a specially commissioned piece that has been written by Philip Harper and will be accompanied by Welsh poetry and visuals of Wales.

Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Evans will host an Investment Showcase in Tokyo, focusing on dynamic sectors such as green energy, medtech, cyber, and compound semiconductors. This event aims to attract Japanese partners by showcasing how their technologies can contribute to Wales' economic development. Additionally, she will sign an MOU on a twinning anniversary with Himeji Castle and visit Oita and Kitakyushu. A related Welsh medtech event will also take place at the Osaka Expo on 24 June. 

Hankyu Department Store in Osaka Umeda will host performances from Welsh folk band NoGood Boyo and the dance group Qwerin. NoGood Boyo brings a modern twist to traditional Welsh music with instruments like accordion and fiddle, while Qwerin combines Welsh folk dancing with the vibrancy of queer nightlife. Both acts celebrate Welsh culture and community, offering visitors a chance to also enjoy Welsh culinary delights. They will also be appearing at an evening reception in Oita on 26 April, and at an anniversary event at Himeji Castle on 28 April, while Tim will lead choral sessions in Osaka College of Music. 

Wales Day at Expo, Osaka

The first Wales Day will be held on 29 April and will be a celebration of Wales. The event will showcase the best of Wales including culture, arts, performances, food and drink, tourism, sport and education. This day aligns with the 10th anniversary of the Well-being of Future Generations Act and the public are invited to find out all about what makes Wales unique.

Wales Day at Expo, Osaka

The second day on June 24 will have a health focus,  and a trade mission. Wales will host two events at the pavilion around innovations within health, well-being and the arts.

Welsh MedTech showcase at Japan Health in Osaka 

Wales U16 Football Team participation in International Dream Cup 

Wales Investor Showcase, in Tokyo, Japan

Welsh Rugby Union men’s team tour of Japan

Student exchange visits between Wales and Kyushu