
What is UK-JP?
The UK-Japan Student Conference (UK-JP) is an independent academic exchange programme by students, for students. Founded in 2016, this annual summer programme aims to encourage and foster intercultural dialogue among students of various backgrounds from UK and Japanese universities, by providing a platform for youths to discuss and propose solutions to pressing contemporary issues.
Depending on the year, participants spend just over a week in Japan or the UK attending lectures by experts on numerous exciting topics, exchanging ideas with fellow university students from across the UK and Japan. In addition to academic exchange, there will be plenty of social events and time for participants to build lasting connections that transcend national borders.
Our Mission
The UK-Japan Student Conference is an opportunity for highly motivated university students across the UK and Japan to come together and create a shared vision towards a sustainable future. We create a space for cross-cultural pollination and a forum for discussion on crucial socio-political issues. Our ambition is to support students by establishing a thriving network across borders. We value the idea expressed in an old Japanese proverb: ‘Ichigo Ichie’ (一期一会), which speaks to the idea that we should treasure every meeting, for it will never recur. We never know where we might encounter someone who will influence our lives and values — the friendships established through this particular meeting could be such a turning point. We hope to foster long-lasting friendships amongst participants.
We emphasise experiences that challenge our collective biases and preconceptions, and reveal alternative approaches towards the conference theme. Having nurtured discussions in an international context, we hope participants will bring fresh perspectives back to their own communities. We strive to incorporate a process of discussion, realisation and action into our design of UK-JP. Student-led debate is invaluable in proposing solutions to the most pressing contemporary issues.
The UK-Japan Student Conference is an opportunity to apply the knowledge attendees have gained during their academic careers. We provide a programme that acknowledges and celebrates a diversity of values through interactions with participants from different backgrounds. We hope the week they spend with us is a fruitful and memorable one with many discoveries.
Our Team

HARUKA KURATA
President
Haruka is a Business, Entrepreneurship, and Investment undergraduate at Keio University. She is looking forward to welcoming passionate participants to our 2025 conference. She was a participant in 2023, and became part of our marketing team in 2024.

IAN TAM
Finance and Logistics
Ian is an undergraduate studying Economics at the University of Glasgow. Participant since 2023, and a Finance and Logistics team member since 2024.

SANA HANDA
Fianance and Logistics
Sana is an undergraduate studying International Economic Law at Keio University. Participant since 2024.

MAHO KAMIYA
Finance & Logistic
Maho is an undergraduate studying Education at Kyoto University. Participant since 2024.

JASMINE MARNIE THOMAS
Marketing
Jasmine is an undergraduate in Japanese Studies at Oxford Brookes University. Participant since 2024.

HIROKI KUROSAWA
Marketing
Hiroki is an undergraduate studying Law, International Relations, and Economics at Hitotsubashi University. Participant since 2024.

SHRAVYA HASINI
Marketing
Hasini is a master's graduate in Creative Writing at Swansea University. Participant since 2024.

MARTHA PAGE
Academic Coodinator
Martha is an undergraduate studying Theatre and Creative Writing at the University of Lancaster. Participant since 2024.

KAI IHARA
Academic Coodinator
Kai is an undergraduate studying Economics and Business at Hokkaido University. Participant since 2024.

EWEN BROWNER
Academic Coordinator
Ewen is an undergraduate studying Political Science and International Relations at the University of Strathclyde. Participant since 2023.