Consul General Takeda’s visit to the Scottish Parliament
2025/6/5
On 5th June, Consul General Katsutoshi Takeda visited the Scottish Parliament and observed the day’s question and answer sessions and debate in the Parliament chamber.
During the sessions, First Minister John Swinney was questioned before a submission was moved by Karen Adam MSP, to commemorate the 187th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Blake Glover.
The motion was overseen by Deputy Presiding Officer Liam MacArthur MSP and included seven speakers: Karen Adam MSP, Tess White MSP, Jackie Dunbar MSP, Martin Whitfield MSP, Kevin Stewart MSP, Douglas Ramsden MSP and Fiona Hislop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
Thomas Blake Glover, born in Fraserburgh, about 60 miles north of Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a businessman who made a major contribution to the modernization of Japan. He influenced the development of Japan's shipbuilding and industrial sectors, as well as introducing a modern education system to Japan. Even today he remains a symbol of the close ties between Scotland and Japan, and his achievements were recognised during the motion. There was also a suggestion made that the house where he was born in Aberdeenshire should be used to widely publicise his achievements.
The ties between Scotland and Japan have grown stronger from the end of the Edo period to the present day, and we hope that relations will continue to be strengthened and exchanges promoted in the future.
For more details about the parliamentary discussion, please see the following website:
(Video)
https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-s6m-17428-karen-adam-thomas-blake-glover-fraserburghs-international-legacy-june-5-2025
(Minutes)
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-06-2025?meeting=16472&iob=140688#orscontributions_M3896E381P717C2696763
During the sessions, First Minister John Swinney was questioned before a submission was moved by Karen Adam MSP, to commemorate the 187th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Blake Glover.
The motion was overseen by Deputy Presiding Officer Liam MacArthur MSP and included seven speakers: Karen Adam MSP, Tess White MSP, Jackie Dunbar MSP, Martin Whitfield MSP, Kevin Stewart MSP, Douglas Ramsden MSP and Fiona Hislop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
Thomas Blake Glover, born in Fraserburgh, about 60 miles north of Aberdeen, Scotland. He was a businessman who made a major contribution to the modernization of Japan. He influenced the development of Japan's shipbuilding and industrial sectors, as well as introducing a modern education system to Japan. Even today he remains a symbol of the close ties between Scotland and Japan, and his achievements were recognised during the motion. There was also a suggestion made that the house where he was born in Aberdeenshire should be used to widely publicise his achievements.
The ties between Scotland and Japan have grown stronger from the end of the Edo period to the present day, and we hope that relations will continue to be strengthened and exchanges promoted in the future.
For more details about the parliamentary discussion, please see the following website:
(Video)
https://www.scottishparliament.tv/meeting/members-business-s6m-17428-karen-adam-thomas-blake-glover-fraserburghs-international-legacy-june-5-2025
(Minutes)
https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-05-06-2025?meeting=16472&iob=140688#orscontributions_M3896E381P717C2696763