The Japanese ambassador to the UK has reached new heights of internet fame as his enthusiastic admiration for British culture has been going viral online.
Hiroshi Suzuki, who has served as the diplomat to the UK since last September, has been posting on X his endeavours with Paddington Bear.
‘London, here I come!’ he posted only a few months ago, unaware just how much his earnest joy at embracing all that the UK has to offer will cement his social media status as universally adored.
At first, it was pints at the pub.
In – what some would say – true British fashion, Mr Suzuki embraced the drinking culture by trekking across all corners of the country, sampling ales and lagers in different public houses.
On New Year’s Day, he posted a video of him sipping from a pint at 10am, before giddily pointing to a bottle of Roku from Japan. A strong thumbs up closes the shot.
A West London staple – the Churchill Arms – is host to a Saturday night drink, while he also visited the Turf Tavern in Oxford, where the Emperor frequented during his studies.
In an inspiring fusion of Japanese and Irish cultures, Mr Suzuki posted a matcha latte with a shamrock shaped on top for St Patrick’s Day, now seen by more than 22million people.
The internet hall of fame has cemented the Japanese ambassador Hiroshi Suzuki as a national treasure after partaking in cultural traditions – like a pint at the pub
His companion, Paddington bear, has also been instrumental in Mr Suzuki’s popularity online
Mr Suzuki’s shamrock matcha latte for St Patrick’s Day has been adored by millions on social media
One fan commented: ‘I love how this combines the Japanese way of doing things while honoring the host nation’s traditions. All diplomats should take note.’
Another said: ‘Don’t think we don’t see and love your beautiful emerald green tie & forest green jacket too! Every detail has been thoughtfully considered – you’re a class act, Hiroshi san. Happy Paddy’s Day.’
One user wrote: ‘Honestly adore this gentleman. What a lovely example of respect, warmth and love for both Ireland and Japan. May we all strive to understand each other and bridge the gap between cultural differences. God bless. Wonderful role model in divisive times.’
After being dubbed the ‘Paddington Bear of ambassadors’, Mr Suzuki paid homage to the iconic character by having him join him on official trips.
In his trademark fashion, he has also made UK officials pose with stuffed toys, including Parliamentary Under Secretary of State Gareth Thomas and Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
While Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle did not picture with a bear, he gifted Mr Suzuki his own teddy wearing the Speaker’s robe.
His wife, Eiko, has now taken the beloved toy to Osaka in Japan to experience the opening of Expo 2025, an exhibition of global designs dedicated to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
Adorned with a pin of the Japanese and English flags, Paddington was seen swapping the marmalade sandwiches for spicy noodles at Shin Osaka Station, before hopping on the bullet train.
The Mayor of Manchester Andy Burnham gifted Mr Suzuki a teddy of a bee (the city’s symbol) after their meeting
Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle gave the Japanese ambassador his own teddy wearing the Speaker’s robe
Adorned with a pin of the Japanese and English flags, Paddington has been exploring Japan while Mr Suzuki and his wife have visited
‘Long time no see’: Paddington visited Mount Fuji where he saw his ‘friends’ Felix and Peter
Mr Suzuki humorously posted ‘Found the Japanese fish and chips ! Looks delicious !!’
One fan said they ‘love how this combines the Japanese way of doing things while honoring the host nation’s traditions’
Mr Suzuki’s wife, Eiko, has now taken the beloved toy to Osaka in Japan to experience the opening of Expo 2025
Paddington also met the Expo mascot after visiting a famous Kimono shop in Gion – his wife said the owners were ‘overjoyed’ to welcome him.
He also tried a Bento box, an Ekiben (a lunch box) and visited a Zen garden in Kyoto and posed with a statue of Totoro, from the Studio Ghibli movie.
In constant efforts to fuse the interests of the two nations, on Burns Night Mr Suzuki wished good will and commented that ‘Auld Lang Syne is very popular in Japan, always sung on graduation ceremonies’.
In January, Mr Suzuki was filmed singing the Welsh National Anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, in Welsh, while holding the Welsh and Japanese flag, before his visit to the country. A stuffed red dragon was accompanying also.
Mr Suzuki explained the inspiration came from a visit from the Welsh national team to Japan for the Rugby World Cup in 2019.
‘The Japanese local people welcomed them by singing the national anthem in Welsh. It was the First Minister who told me this story, and then I thought, “oh maybe I could sing the national anthem in Welsh as well!”‘.
His Welsh accent impressed fans and he admitted he ‘practised hard’ singing the tune four or five times a day.
Colleagues would hold the lyrics written in Japanese ‘and I practice, practice, practice and finally I could make that video’, he admitted, but ‘I just couldn’t hit the high note in the second half’.
Mr Suzuki enthusiastically tried a Manchester tart while visiting the city earlier this year
Mr Suzuki said he was ‘enjoying pub’ on his visit to the Churchill Arms and shared a video of him drinking a pint on New Years Day
Mr Suzuki sang the Welsh National Anthem before his visit to the country and admitted he ‘practised hard’ singing the tune four or five times a day.
For St David’s Day, he filmed himself eating a Welsh cake with a red-dragon-adorned mug of tea. Beside him – a vase of origami daffodils
‘Took a little break The Turf Tavern pub, another place which the Emperor often visited during his time as a student University of Oxford!’ Mr Suzuki posted
For St David’s Day, he filmed himself eating a Welsh cake with a red-dragon-adorned mug of tea. Beside him – a vase of origami daffodils.
Moving away from sweet treats, Mr Suzuki visited the Sarson’s factory in Manchester (a British name but Japanese owned) to sample the vinegar.
‘So when you enjoy fish and chips Sarson’s is a must have, I just can’t think of fish and chips without Sarson’s,’ he said, alongside his hearty meal.
A Manchester tart did however sneak its way in to his busy schedule.
A New Forest ham and Sussex sparkling wine has also been on the menu – his feasting had educational purposes too this time, as he explained the method behind GI (Geographical Indication).
‘If you see kobe beef with this stamp, you can rest assured you’re going to get the real deal,’ he said.
Mr Suzuki had also attended the Hanami gathering in Regent’s Park to see the cherry trees planted six years ago as part of the Sakura Cherry Tree Project.
The tree planting program from 2017 was intended to symbolise friendship between Japan and the UK, with more than 8,000 Sakura trees now planted across the UK.
Mr Suzuki visited Battersea Park to see the cherry blossoms this spring after posting about the Sakura project
While Paddington made his own visits to the cherry tree gardens when he was in Japan
Mr Suzuki explained that ‘the Sakura Cherry Tree Project was conceived as a symbol of the never-changing friendship between Japan and the UK in the aftermath of the Brexit vote in 2016’.
He continued: ‘It was proposed by Mr Keisaku Sandy Sano, then-Chairman of the Japan Association in the UK, and launched together with Mr Takashi Tsukamoto, then-Chairman of the Japan-British Society and myself, then-Prime Minister Abe’s Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs.
‘The Project originally targeted planting 1,000 Sakura cherry trees, and since then has made steady progress, with around 8,000 Sakura cherry trees already planted all over the UK.
‘These trees are now blooming in numerous locations across the country. I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to all the people who have pursued it with great passion and endeavours.
‘I trust that these trees which have been planted as a symbol of the bonds of friendship between our two countries will be loved and well taken care of by the British people, and that such bonds will continue to spread further.’
This spring, he planted more at the ZSL London Zoo with the Lord Mayor of Westminster.
Amongst his charming posts of Paddington’s adventures, he is often sending well wishes to British icons like Rory Mcllroy on his latest win and Princess Beatrice on the birth of her daughter.
‘Japan and the UK are irreplaceable partners who share fundamental values and common strategic interests,’ Mr Suzuki wrote on the Japanese embassy website.
