#Japan #Tokyo #HMS Prince of Wales #Miho Kojou #UK-Japan Relations

A Heartwarming Gesture from a Young Artist

On September 1, 2025, the British aircraft carrier strike group made a remarkable port visit to Tokyo, showcasing not only its naval strength but also the warmth of international friendships. During this visit, an 11-year-old elementary school student from Yamaguchi Prefecture, Miho Kojou, presented an impressive piece of collaged artwork to Captain Will Bracket of the HMS Prince of Wales, symbolizing the strong partnership between Japan and the United Kingdom.

Miho, a fifth grader, created this artwork as a tribute to the ship's visit, expressing her celebratory sentiment through a unique collage made with intricate paper-cutting techniques. Unfortunately, she could not personally attend the event due to academic commitments, so Julia Longbottom, the British Ambassador to Japan, graciously accepted the artwork on her behalf.

Captain Bracket received Miho's artwork with great joy, thanking her for the thoughtful gift. He also presented her with a token of appreciation: a sailor's hat and a special commemorative coin medal from the HMS Prince of Wales. The gesture was not just a simple exchange of items; it represented a moment of connection between cultures and highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges in fostering international friendships.

Captain Bracket expressed his heartfelt thanks in a message to Miho, saying, "Hello, Miho. I am sincerely grateful for the wonderful piece of art you created for the HMS Prince of Wales. Your work is remarkable and vividly reminds us of our time in Japan. Some of the crew members have even climbed Mount Fuji, and this artwork will serve as a cherished memory for us. Most importantly, it symbolizes the friendship between Japan and the UK. We would love to display it prominently on the ship so everyone can recall the fantastic time we had in Japan. Lastly, I would like to offer this sailor’s hat and a special commemorative coin medal as a token of appreciation from the ship to you. I regret that we could not meet in person, but I hope to return to Japan in the future. Thank you!"

Ambassador Longbottom also acknowledged the significance of the occasion, remarking, "The fact that a young Japanese girl from a family connected to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force created such a wonderful piece of art underscores how the visit of HMS Prince of Wales, part of the British aircraft carrier strike group, embodies the essence of human connection. At the heart of the splendid UK-Japan relationship is the interaction between people. This port visit demonstrates not only hard power but also soft power, and the fact that it has warmed the hearts of the younger generation convinces me of the future strengthening of our bilateral relations. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to Miho."

This touching exchange between Miho and the HMS Prince of Wales marks a moment of cultural exchange that resonates across the seas, reminding us that friendships transcend borders through the pure passions and creativity of young artists like Miho. As international partnerships continue to grow, it is stories like this that weave the fabric of shared experiences and mutual respect between nations.


Miho Kojou's collage art (right) and the gifts presented to her by Captain Bracket, including the sailor's hat and commemorative medal (left).

Through gestures of kindness like these, we can hope for a future where cultural exchanges continue to blossom, strengthening the bonds between our nations for generations to come.