Abe urges Britain to minimize negative effects of Brexit

April 15, 2019

Tokyo--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on Britain on Monday to minimize negative effects of its planned exit from the European Union on Japanese companies' activities and the world economy.

He made the request at a meeting with British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt at the prime minister's office in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Abe welcomed British Prime Minister Theresa May's latest agreement with the EU to push back a deadline for Brexit up until October 31, saying he respects May's effort to prevent, at least for the time being, her country's divorce from the single market without any sort of agreement.

Hunt responded that the British government will make its all-out efforts to avoid a no-deal Brexit and hopes to strengthen cooperation between Japan and Britain.

However, Tokyo still sees the possibility of Brexit turmoil expanding further.

Chances have yet to be ruled out that Britain will withdraw from the EU without a deal, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said.

At the meeting with Hunt, Abe also sought Britain's cooperation for successful holding of the Group of 20 summit in Osaka, western Japan, in June. Jiji Press