Japan waves goodbye to Britain as ‘Gateway to Europe’

Prospect of a no-deal EU exit alarms Japanese investors

Britain's Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt and Japan's Foreign Minister Taro Kono (R) attend their joint press announcement in Tokyo on Septermber 18, 2018. Pic: Getty

After a February meeting between British prime minister Theresa May and 19 Japanese business leaders, Tokyo’s ambassador to Britain warned what might happen if Brexit took an unfavourable turn for foreign investors.

“No private company can continue operations” in Britain if it becomes unprofitable, Koji Tsuruoka told reporters on the steps of May’s Downing Street residence, after the premier pledged to pursue frictionless trade with the European Union. “It is as simple as ...