UNITED KINGDOM - JAPAN 21ST CENTURY GROUP
Registered charity 295006 · accounts filings on the Charity Commission register · also known as UK JAPAN 21ST CENTURY GROUP, UNITED KINGDOM - JAPAN 2000 GROUP
The Group aims to educate citizens of the UK and Japan in all aspects of each other's public institutions and systems of government, and each other's political and economic institutions, industry, social sciences and culture. The Group holds an annual conference alternately in Britain and Japan, following which the co-Chairmen submit recommendations to the two Prime Ministers.
Objects
TO ADVANCE THE EDUCATION OF THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM AND OF THE CITIZENS OF JAPAN IN ALL ASPECTS OF EACH OTHER'S PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS, SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT AND ALSO IN ALL BRANCHES OF EACH OTHER'S POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, INDUSTRIAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES AND CULTURE.
Area of benefit: NOT DEFINED
The charity’s charitable objects and area of benefit, quoted from its governing document as held on the Charity Commission register.
Causes: Other Charitable Purposes · website · Get email alerts
Financial health, per its FY2025 accounts
The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £50,189, which the trustees confirm are sufficient to cover 12 months of expenditure in line with the Group’s reserves policy. The charity reported a net incoming resource surplus of £3,216 for the year, funded primarily by donations and sponsorship from major sponsors.
Automated summary of the FY2025 accounts; the evidenced findings below carry the verbatim passages.
What the accounts disclose
Reserves policy: 12 months expenditure (held: £50k)
“The Group’s reserves continue to be sufficient to cover 12 months expenditure in line with the Group’s reserves policy.”
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Payments to trustees: David Fitton received £12,400 in fees and expenses for services provided in the running of the annual conference.
“Director's remuneration and national insurance expenses of £12,400 (2024 - £12,400) comprise fees and expenses for the current year paid to David Fitton.” — page 13
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Director remuneration
“Director's remuneration and national insurance expenses of £12,400 (2024 - £12,400) comprise fees and expenses for the current year paid to David Fitton. The payment of Director's remuneration is in respect of services provided in the running of the annual conference and related activity, and was approved by the Directors at a Board Meeting and is permitted under the charitable company’s memorandum and articles of association.” — page 13
“During the year £255 (2024 - £4,665) of travel and sundry expenses were reimbursed to 3 (2024 — 6) Directors.” — page 13
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Related-party transaction: Director expense reimbursement
“Director's remuneration and national insurance expenses of £12,400 (2024 - £12,400) comprise fees and expenses for the current year paid to David Fitton. The payment of Director's remuneration is in respect of services provided in the running of the annual conference and related activity, and was approved by the Directors at a Board Meeting and is permitted under the charitable company’s memorandum and articles of association.” — page 13
“During the year £255 (2024 - £4,665) of travel and sundry expenses were reimbursed to 3 (2024 — 6) Directors.” — page 13
Per its FY2025 accounts as filed with the Charity Commission.
Accounts independently examined (not a full audit). Discloses 5 of 6 completeness components.
Policies the charity declares
In its annual return the charity told the Commission that it has the policies listed below. This is self-declared: it is not verified by the Commission or by this site, and it is not evidence of how a policy works in practice.
- Campaigns and political activity policy and procedures
- Financial reserves policy and procedures
- Internal charity financial controls policy and procedures
- Trustee conflicts of interest policy and procedures
- Trustee expenses policy and procedures
Funders the charity credits
Named as funders/supporters on the charity’s own website (the charity’s claim, distinct from accounts-verified grants).
- BAE Systems — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- Terumo BCT Europe — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- AstraZeneca — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- Richmond Pharmacology — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- Astellas Pharma Europe — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- Oxford Nanopore Technologies — “The UK-Japan 21st Century Group greatly benefits from the support of its corporate sponsors, BAE Systems , Terumo BCT Europe , AstraZeneca ,…” (source page)
- Embassy of Japan in the UK — “We are grateful to the following institutions for the support towards our charitable activities. *Embassy of Japan in the UK *Japan House Lo…” (source page)
- Japan House London Trust — “We are grateful to the following institutions for the support towards our charitable activities. *Embassy of Japan in the UK *Japan House Lo…” (source page)
- Nippon Club — “We are grateful to the following institutions for the support towards our charitable activities. *Embassy of Japan in the UK *Japan House Lo…” (source page)
- The Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation — “We are grateful to the following institutions for the support towards our charitable activities. *Embassy of Japan in the UK *Japan House Lo…” (source page)
- Toshiba International Foundation — “We are grateful to the following institutions for the support towards our charitable activities. *Embassy of Japan in the UK *Japan House Lo…” (source page)
- Blick Rothenberg — “The Japan Society is most grateful to the following corporate donors which have designated all or part of their donation in support of the s…” (source page)
- Chugai Pharma Europe Ltd — “The Japan Society is most grateful to the following corporate donors which have designated all or part of their donation in support of the s…” (source page)
- Canon Europe Ltd — “The Japan Society is most grateful to the following corporate donors which have designated all or part of their donation in support of the s…” (source page)
- Eisai Europe Ltd — “The Japan Society is most grateful to the following corporate donors which have designated all or part of their donation in support of the s…” (source page)
Electoral Commission register entries
Entries on the Electoral Commission’s public register where this charity (or its company) appears as the source — typically sponsorship of an APPG or an overseas visit provided to an MP, which charities may lawfully do. Shown with the Commission’s own reference; this is a transparency record, not an allegation.
- Visit: Rebecca Paul (MP - Member of Parliament) — £4k · 10/03/2026 · Japan · ref V0836466
To attend annual conference to promote dialogue and cooperation between the two countries with the aim of enhancing bilateral ties.
- Visit: Monica Harding (MP - Member of Parliament) — £4k · 06/03/2026 · Japan · ref V0836461
To attend and speak at the UK-Japan 21st Century Group - 42nd Annual Conference Programme
- Visit: Mark Logan (MP - Member of Parliament) — £3k · 30/01/2024 · Japan · ref V0575501
To meet the Japanese Prime Minister and to attend the UK-Japan 21st Century Group 2024 Conference.
- Visit: Dr Lisa Cameron MP (MP - Member of Parliament) — £4k · 30/01/2024 · Tokyo and Odawara · ref V0575482
To meet the Prime Minister of Japan and attend UK Japan conference with Ministers to discuss joint UK Japan trade and development priorities in health, defence and technology.
- Visit: Catherine West MP (MP - Member of Parliament) — £3k · 30/01/2024 · Japan · ref V0575473
To meet the Japanese Prime Minister and to attend the UK-Japan 21st Century Group 2024 Conference.
- Visit: Dr Lisa Cameron MP (MP - Member of Parliament) — £4k · 04/10/2016 · Tokyo, Japan · ref V0260268
To meet the Japanese Prime Minister and Ministers to discuss and plan bilateral trade and development priorities. To produce a report by Japan 21C Group for presentation to Prime Ministers May and Abe, and Scottish Gover
Public profiles (found on the charity’s own website): facebook · instagram
Trustee list from the Charity Commission register (current, not historical).
Operates in: Throughout London
Income and spending
Common questions
Is UNITED KINGDOM - JAPAN 21ST CENTURY GROUP financially healthy?
Per its FY2025 accounts: The accounts state that unrestricted reserves stood at £50,189, which the trustees confirm are sufficient to cover 12 months of expenditure in line with the Group’s reserves policy. The charity reported a net incoming resource surplus of £3,216 for the year, funded primarily by donations and sponsorship from major sponsors. Its FY2025 accounts were independently examined.