The Scottish Government has appointed Stephen Baker as the country’s first Trade Envoy to Japan, hoping to secure more international investment. 

Announcing their pick today, the government said that Baker will identify new opportunities in Japan’s energy, pharmaceuticals, med-tech and food sectors.

Baker, who spent 21 years with Sony before joining Scottish Development International in 2006, will spend two years in the unpaid Japan Envoy role.

The government hopes that by strengthening ties to Japan, Scotland can take advantage of the country’s financial and technological sectors to boost its own efforts in developing renewable and green technologies, fintech, biotechnology, and the food and drink trade.

Mr Baker said: “Japan and the UK share a strong and vibrant partnership, with Scotland taking a leading role in the energy transition.

“Given Japan’s substantial economy, there are significant opportunities for trade and investment. Now is the perfect time to include Japan in your business strategy and I look forward to maximising the benefits of this global partnership for Scotland.”

Japan is becoming an increasingly important export market for Scotland, though as the latest trade figures show, the only Asian country currently breaking the top ten export destination for Scottish products is Singapore, accounting for £800 million in exports.

Business Minister Richard Lochhead, due to head out on his own trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia to meet potential investors, said: “Scottish businesses already have a strong track record when it comes to exports to the Asian market and attracting inward investment, given Scotland’s position as the UK’s most attractive place for inward investment outside London.

“This appointment will help Scotland to increase business opportunities with similar Japanese companies and organisations, like Sumitomo’s £350 million investment in a manufacturing plant in Nigg.”

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This latest appointment follows years of both the Scottish and UK Governments looking eastward to support economic growth, with UK-Japan trade agreement first being signed in 2020 with the promise the deal would benefit over 500 businesses in Scotland, and with iconic Scottish products, including Scotch beef, Shetland wool, and Stornaway black pudding, being protected in Japan for the first time.

Since then, the UK Government has sought to establish closer ties with emerging economic powers in the region, including a trade visit by then Scottish Secretary Alistair Jack to Vietnam, and a visit by Scottish Government trade minister Ivan McKee to Indonesia last year, where he touted the Scottish space industry and met with potential investors.