The Japan–British Society (or Nichiei Kyōkai (日英協会)) was founded in 1908 "to encourage the study of things British and to promote cordial relations between the peoples of Great Britain and Japan.
The society was founded in 1908, six years after Japan and the United Kingdom formed the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, which at first was a purely military arrangement.
The Society supported the Japan 2001 festival, which featured a series of events to introduce traditional and contemporary Japanese culture throughout Britain.
He travelled to the UK in May, 1907, to give Emperor Meiji's thanks to King Edward VII for bestowing The Most Noble Order of the Garter upon him.
[15] The Society provides a forum within which members of both nationalities meet for social and cultural exchanges on an informal and friendly basis.
The society's Junior Group arranges social events to appeal to younger members, including the annual Christmas party, the Mochitsuki (rice pounding), Shinnenkai (New Year's party), pub nights, film viewings, barbecues, and cherry blossom viewing at the British Embassy.
[2] The society has supported a number of exchange programs and offers opportunities for British and Japanese members to become acquainted with each other, including seasonal events and lectures.
As of August, 2009, there are 19[17] independent, regional Japan-British Societies outside Tokyo: Aichi, Aomori, Asahikawa, Ehime, Fukui,[18] Fukuoka, Hakodate, Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Ishikawa, Iwate, Kagoshima, Kansai, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Nagasaki, Shizuoka, Tohoku, Yamaguchi.