Ministerial visit to Japan: FOI release

Information requested

1. Who went on the trip?

2. How much did it cost?

3. What hospitality was received?

4. The Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland has earned a strong international reputation for pioneering health technologies that improve outcomes and enhance care.” Provide evidence to support this claim?

Response

I enclose a copy of most of the information you requested.

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide some of the information you have requested because an exemptions under sections s27(1) and s38(1) (b) of FOISA applies to that information. The reasons why these exemptions applies are explained below/in the Annex to this letter.

Exemptions under sections s27(1) and s38(1)(b) of FOISA applies to some of the information you have requested. Where the information relates to the costs for the Ministerial travel, exemption 27(1) applies to costs attributed to the Cabinet Secretary. This is due to the impending release of the Ministerial Engagements database on September 19th. We have provided the costs for the officials to travel in the text below. With regards to the names of who travelled to Japan with the Cabinet Secretary, these will be withheld under exemption 38(1)(b), as this relates to personal information of two Civil Servants below the level of Senior Civil Servant.

Your response is:

Who went on the trip?

The Minister was supported by a policy official and a member of his private office on the visit. The details of the two civil servants will not be released under FOI Exemption s.38(1)(b).

How much did it cost?

The total costs of the Cabinet Secretary’s travel will be released as part of the Proactive Ministerial Engagements database on the 19th of September 2025. As a result, this information will be temporarily withheld under section 27(1) of FOISA.

This exemption is subject to the ‘public interest test’. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exemption.

However, there are also additional costs relating to officials who supported the Cabinet Secretary on this visit which will not be included in the information intended for release on 19 September. While the application of section 38(1)(b) will remain in relation to the identity of the individuals, the total costs of their expenses may be released.

As such, the total costs of the visit, as they pertain to Scottish Government officials, are £11,584.66.

What hospitality was received?

The Cabinet Secretary and the two supporting civil servants received travel and accommodation costs, alongside and meals covered as part of the visit.Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary attended a dinner at the British Embassy in Tokyo where a meal was provided.

The Health Secretary Neil Gray said: “Scotland has earned a strong international reputation for pioneering health technologies that improve outcomes and enhance care.” Provide evidence to support this claim?

Scotland is a global leader in health and life sciences with a strong company base and the drive to rise to global health challenges. Scotland has over 770 life sciences organisations employing over 42,500 people and has one of the largest life sciences clusters in Europe.

The programme for the week reflected Scotland’s role as a leader in the sector, with the panel sessions and networking receptions alone attracting 200+ VIP attendees. In terms of tangible outcomes for the delegation, international revenue forecasts for the 6 companies currently sit at approx. £9.4m for the 3-year forecast, as a result of the visit.

Information that supports this information can be found on the Scottish Development International website, for which I have provided a link for below:

Digital health and care industry opportunities in Scotland

This exemption is not subject to the 'public interest test', so we are not required to consider if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exemption.

About FOI

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