Richard Lochhead

During the trip, he will engage with government officials, potential investors, and key companies. The Minister will also explore opportunities for further collaboration between Scottish and Chinese academic institutions.

China and Japan are increasingly important export markets for Scottish goods, with whisky and seafood exports to China tripling since 2005 and whisky exports to Japan up 7% last year, making it the seventh largest global market in terms of value.

In Japan Mr Lochhead will support eight Scottish gaming companies aiming to capture a portion of Japan’s $50 billion market, backed by the Scottish Government’s business accelerator programme, Techscaler, as they meet potential customers and investors in Tokyo.

He is also launching the first of three days of Scottish activity at Expo 2025 Osaka. The event will showcase Scotland’s gaming sector as well as consumer-focused businesses including distilleries, skincare companies and seafood specialists.

Mr Lochhead said: “Scotland is open for business and China and Japan are vitally important markets for Scottish companies.

“Over the next two weeks I will champion Scotland’s world class products, universities and technical expertise. I will also be promoting the many investment opportunities that our drive for Net Zero is delivering.

“In an increasingly volatile global economy, it is even more important that we help Scottish companies access new markets and deepen existing trading relationships.”