Asia Society Japan is honored to welcome Her Excellency Ms. Julia Longbottom CMG to the Ambassadors’ Circle on November 12. No stranger to Japan, this is Her Excellency’s third tour to Japan, most recently from 2012-2016 as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy. Her career has taken her to Asia focused roles as Head of China/ Far Eastern Department as well as to Poland or The Hague, and just before coming to Tokyo as the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s Director of the Coronavirus Task Force.  

The presentation is titled, “What does the UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt mean for Japan and the region?”. Britain and Japan have had a long and historic relationship. To further the partnership looking post COVID, there are agendas for both countries that requires focus bilaterally as well as global leaders on trade, security, climate and other agendas. 

Asia Society Japan’s “Ambassadors’ Circle”, is an initiative launched in 2020 to forge deeper links and stimulate exchange between the Founding Members and Tokyo-based Ambassadors.  In these turbulent times, a first-hand understanding of how different countries and their leaders interpret the evolving challenges in Asia in general is more important than ever. The “Ambassadors’ Circle” aims to involve you in this mission.

This event will be conducted in-person and online.
Participation is for members and guests only. Registration is required.

Speaker Bio

Julia Longbottom CMG

British Ambassador to Japan
March 2021        Tokyo, Ambassador
2020                   FCO, Director, Coronavirus Task Force
2016 to 2020      FCO, Director for Consular Services, Consular Directorate
2012 to 2016      Tokyo, Minister and Deputy Head of Mission
2009 to 2012      FCO, Head, Far Eastern (later China) Department
2006 to 2009      UK Trade & Investment, Director, Strategy and Human Resources
2003 to 2006      Warsaw, Director of Trade & Investment and Consul General
1998 to 2002      The Hague, Head of Political and EU Section
1994 to 1997      FCO, Section Head, Nationality and Immigration, Hong Kong Department
1990 to 1993      Tokyo, Second Secretary - Political
1988                   European Commission Brussels, Stagiaire in Office of Lord Cockfield
1987                   New York, UK Permanent Mission to the UN, Second Secretary – UNGA Team
1986                   Joined FCO

Married to Richard Sciver, with three adult children (two daughters, one son)