Mayors of Greater Manchester and Osaka sign Sister City Agreement

Greater Manchester has signed a formal Sister City Agreement with Osaka aimed at promoting further collaboration and cooperation between the two cities across trade, innovation, education, tourism and culture.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and Mayor of Osaka Hideyuki Yokoyama signed the Agreement on 5th September at a special ceremony at Manchester Metropolitan University attended by a range of civic and business leaders, including the Japanese Ambassador to the UK, Hiroshi Suzuki. 

Sister City arrangements are highly regarded in Japan and the agreement with Greater Manchester is the first new partnership signed by Osaka, Japan’s third largest city, in 20 years.

The agreement builds on the city region’s historic links with Osaka, and is the culmination of civic engagement on recent Greater Manchester trade missions to Japan. It aims to open up further opportunities for trade and investment, and foster closer ties on innovation, education, tourism, culture and sport.  The agreement also follows £117 million of investment and creation of more than 200 jobs by Japanese companies in the city-region over the past 12 months.

The signing also comes at the start of Japan Week, the annual cultural festival being held in Manchester from 4 to 9 September. A delegation from Osaka is in Greater Manchester this week for a three-day trade mission coinciding with the event, which is marking its 50th year.

Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham said:

“The signing of Greater Manchester’s Sister City Agreement with Osaka today is another significant moment in our proud history of cooperation. Our relationship goes back to the industrial revolution, when a group of Japanese students came to Greater Manchester to learn about the machinery and technology being used in our factories. They returned to Japan with knowledge and ideas that helped Japan industrialise, with Osaka emerging as the ‘Manchester of the East’. I’m excited to be writing the next chapter in that history. Our collaboration will support investment, job creation and innovation, putting both places at the forefront of the next industrial revolution.” 

Mayor of the City of Osaka Hideyuki Yokoyama said:

“We are delighted that Osaka City has concluded a sister city agreement with Greater Manchester for the first time in 36 years. Osaka was once known as the ‘Manchester of the East’ for its flourishing textile industry, much like Manchester itself. Now, more than a century later, we are deeply honoured to renew this connection with a Sister City Agreement. This Sister City Agreement would not have been possible without the support of so many people. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for your invaluable contributions. Greater Manchester is distinguished by its strengths in the creative industries, support for start-ups, and advanced manufacturing in collaboration with leading research institutions. The city is also internationally renowned for its music and sport.” 

Hiroshi Suzuki, Ambassador of Japan to the UK, said:

“I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude, and deep respect, to both Mayor Yokoyama and Mayor Burnham for their unwavering commitment and remarkable leadership that have made Sister City Agreement possible. The Sister City Agreement between Osaka and Manchester is not just a historical milestone, but also a highly impactful step toward promoting regional revitalisation. The Agreement unites Osaka and Manchester – each half of the twin engines of industrial power in Japan and the UK – to advance resilient, sustainable local economies and communities. This in turn, drives prosperity on the national stage.” 

Cllr Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Lead for Economy, Business, and Inclusive Growth, said:?

“Our relationship with Japan goes back nearly 200 years and has always been focused on collaboration, innovation and growth. More recently, our trade missions have helped us strengthen our relationship with Osaka. We have seen this engagement translate into new jobs and opportunities that have benefitted people and companies across Greater Manchester. Manchester is a proudly international city and it is our privilege to be hosting Japan Week 2025. We’re excited to celebrate and showcase Japanese culture right here in Manchester.”