IT is a wise move for the Guardians of the Orb to appoint an “ambassador” to Japan. The Guardians are the Harris Tweed Authority (HTA) and the Orb is the famous trademark that adorns the industry’s prized products and vouches for their authenticity.

As for Japan, it is indisputable that the Outer Hebrides, and the Harris Tweed industry in particular, have good reason to be grateful to the country. It is a major export destination and has played a huge role in reviving the product.

The Japanese value the beauty, depth and quality of Harris Tweed. From raw, rugged islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, the material finds a welcome home in some of the world’s most technology-rich cities of glass and concrete.

From the cocktail set having a night out on the textiles, to those who value Harris Tweed for its image of rural practicality, this once-humble cloth – handwoven by islanders in their homes – is worn with pride in Japan. Alas, anywhere in the world that has a big market for the authentic will also find itself unfair game to those who would sell the inauthentic.

It will be part of the tweed ambassador’s role to keep a watching brief on this practice, which sometimes happens inadvertently, for the benefit of both Scottish supplier and Japanese customer.

So, as well as the happier brief of promoting the product, he or she will play the role of fabric educator, deploying all the goodwill and diplomatic skill associated with an ambassador. Fortunately, in a country that so prizes honour, the HTA’s representative can count on the support of importers and customers alike.

Having someone on the ground of a major export market makes much sense in maintaining the authenticity that local customers prize and, as with any ambassador, we wish the new representative well in maintaining the strong bridges of trust and trade that link our two countries.