Japan-United Kingdom Relations

September 5, 2016

On September 5, from 1:40pm (local time) for approximately 10 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting Hangzhou, China to attend the G20 Summit, held a brush-by meeting with the Rt.Hon. Theresa MAY MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Its overview is as follows.

  1. Prime Minister Abe stated that as symbolized by the record of my visits to the UK, I attach extreme importance to Japan-UK relations, and that I would like to closely cooperate including on the convening of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games. In response, Prime Minister May re-emphasized the importance of Japan-UK relations and mentioned that she would like to continue to strengthen cooperation in wide ranging areas.
  2. In addition, Prime Minister Abe stated that he shares Prime Minister May’s unshakable belief that free and open trade constitutes the foundation of prosperity, with her remark at the G20 expressing her support of free trade in mind. Furthermore, regarding the UK’s exit from the EU, taking into account that many Japanese companies are operating in the UK, Prime Minister Abe requested her cooperation to enhance predictability and to continue to secure Japanese companies’ businesses and value chains.
  3. In response, Prime Minister May mentioned that she recognizes that the result of the UK referendum to leave the EU is having influence on the international community including Japan, and expressed her hope that the Japan-UK economic relationships will be maintained and strengthened.
  4. Both Prime Ministers confirmed that they would continue to closely communicate with each other.

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