Already 150 years ago a number of adventurous Japanese were visiting England, then the cradle of the Industrial Revolution. The Japanese visitors were full of admiration for the technological advances in shipbuilding, engineering and railways, which they studied closely and which they brought back to their own country. Exactly 100 years ago, in 1902, the Anglo-Japanese Naval Treaty was signed between our two countries. Our nations were brought together by a common strategic interest - namely concern over Russian expansionism. The Treaty marked the emergence of on the world scene of Japan. Our relations at the time were most cordial and many warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy were built in British shipyards.

When my Grandfather became First Lord of the Admiralty in Great Britain before the First World War he maintained close and cordial relations with the Japanese Navy. Indeed, in August 1914, at the very outset of that great conflict, he sent the following hand written message to the Minister of Marine in Tokyo:

“On behalf of the Board of Admiralty, I express the warm feelings of comradeship and pleasure with which the officers and men of the British Navy will find themselves allied in a common cause against a common foe with the gallant and seamanlike Navy of Japan”.

When less than a year later he was forced to leave his high office, the Minister at the Japanese Embassy wrote with warmth:

“Dear Mr. Churchill, I feel I must write you a few lines on your leaving the Admiralty, just to assure you how deeply I appreciate the many kind acts and considerations you have extended to me during your tenure of office.

In the first place I cannot emphasise too much, since the outbreak of hostilities, the special privileges you have shown to the Imperial Navy and myself. By your kind permission the work on the Japanese Destroyers under construction in this country was greatly accelerated [and] Japanese Naval officers were permitted to embark on board His Majesty’s Ships.”

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