Boris Johnson predicts post-Brexit Britain will enjoy an ‘all-singing, all-dancing’ free trade deal with Japan
During visit to Tokyo the Foreign Secretary insisted post-referendum investment proved UK was set for bright future
BORIS Johnson is predicting post-Brexit Britain will enjoy an “all-singing, all-dancing” free trade deal with Japan thanks to a raft on inward investment since the referendum.
The Foreign Secretary was speaking during a visit to Tokyo, where he said deals like the £24billion takeover of UK electronics firm ARM proved we were set for a bright future.
He said: "I have found a wide measure, or a growing measure, of understanding about what is involved.
“They see the possibilities of a great new free trade deal between the UK and the EU, and you can see the proof of the pudding is in the eating.
"We have seen since June 23 record investments in the UK - 2,200 separate investments.
“A huge takeover of ARM by SoftBank, £24 billion, the biggest international investment I think we have seen in our country ... perhaps in history.
"And Nissan putting two more models on the production line in the North East. So, I find there is a much greater confidence and understanding of how it's going to work.
"And a real enthusiasm for free trade with the UK.”
Mr Johnson added: “And what they already want to do is, post-2019, they want to take that EU-Japan free trade agreement and turn it into a fantastic, all-singing and all-dancing, UK-Japan free trade agreement."
The Cabinet minister also used the visit to insist the UK stood "shoulder to shoulder" with Japan as the country tries to halt North Korea's nuclear and missile tests.
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He said: "We all need to increase the pressure on Pyongyang through diplomacy and sanctions, and that must include China using its influence to bring North Korea back to the negotiation table."
Mr Johnson is meeting Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, the foreign minister and the governor of Tokyo on day two of a three-day trip to Japan.