The first time I stayed in the Residence in Tokyo, the Ambassador had a rather rickety Rolls Royce, the art collection was fusty and old-fashioned and the ikebana (flower arrangements) was wondrous. Well now his wheels is a Jaguar (Indian-owned, not German-owned, take your pick), the art is mainly modern and the flowers are still beautiful. And Tokyo, which at first I thought too urban and garish, I now think is elegant and dynamic.
The UK media will tell you that Japan's economy is mired in deflation and lost growth. But it does not feel like that. To the contrary, Tokyo feels prosperous and confident. Talk to the Japanese, though, and they wonder how they will face up to challenges of a strong currency, negative growth, a resurgent China and the loss of ready export markets. At the same time, they know they are world-beaters at technology and product development, and they want to invest abroad with a preference for Britain. So, fertile ground.
To my mind, Japanese food is the most elegant and delicate in the world. And Japanese art the most spare and beautiful. The second work of art I ever bought was a netsuke (a small carving) of an old woman dancing which I found when I was 21. The first was a print of a fishing boat which I got in the Lofoten Islands off Norway when I was 15. I have both still; the latter is important to me because of the circumstances I got it, but the netsuke is important because it is beautiful.
I find Japan both the most unknowable of the countries I have visited, and one of the most appealing. How fortunate that it should be important for UKTI, and that there should be so much mutual regard between our two countries."