NTT becomes first Strategic Partner of MUSUBI
28 October 2026
The British Embassy Tokyo and NTT have signed a new partnership, with NTT becoming the first Strategic Partner of the MUSUBI Initiative and supporting its continued growth.
In just a year and a half, MUSUBI has grown to 14 partners and reached 10,000 participants across the UK and Japan, creating opportunities for people in both countries to connect through leadership, education, sustainability, sport and culture.
Baroness Ruth Mackenzie CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Arts and Museums), signed the partnership on behalf of the UK Government alongside Jun Sawada OBE, Executive Chairman of NTT.
As MUSUBI’s first Strategic Partner, NTT will provide financial support towards the initiative’s operations and expansion, helping to create further opportunities for future generations in the UK and Japan.
British Ambassador-Designate to Japan, Corin Robertson, said:
“It’s a particular pleasure to have this partnership signing today. We’re so grateful for NTT’s commitments and enthusiasm for what we’re trying to do and the relationship we’re trying to promote between the UK and Japan.”
Jun Sawada OBE, Executive Chairman of NTT said:
“It is a great pleasure for NTT to join the MUSUBI partnership. And the United Kingdom has long been an important partner for Japan and NTT’s global business. In 2019, we established our global business company headquartered in London, and have continued to invest in digital transformation and infrastructure, including data centres. We greatly value the UK’s innovative spirit and talented people. So I would also like to express my sincere appreciation on behalf of NTT and the Japanese business communities for the British Embassy as a strong leader in advancing the Japan relationship and for fostering closer ties.”
Baroness Ruth Mackenzie CBE, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Arts and Museums) said:
“I would like to thank NTT on behalf of the British government and particularly my Ministry, the Department of Culture, Media, Sport, Digital, for this remarkable and important project that you are helping us to create together. The bonds between Japan and the UK are very important for both countries, especially for young people, for lovers of sports, or sports practitioners, for lovers of arts and all the creative industries.”
The partnership marks an important next step for MUSUBI, building on programmes that are already creating opportunities for people across the UK and Japan.