Japanese Prime Minister: 'Britain will no longer be attractive if it leaves the EU'

Prime Minister Abe said Japan wanted Britain to stay in the EU, and a vote for Britain to leave would make the country less attractive to Japanese investors.

On May 5, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with British Prime Minister David Cameron during his visit to London. Prime Minister Abe affirmed that Britain would lose its attractiveness to Japanese investors if it leaves the European Union (EU) after the referendum on June 23.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and British Prime Minister David Cameron during a meeting. (Source: japantimes.co.jp).

Speaking at a joint press conference after the talks, the Japanese Prime Minister said that there are about 1,000 Japanese businesses operating in the UK, creating jobs for 140,000 people. Prime Minister Abe emphasized that Japanese investors choose the UK because it is the gateway for them to enter the EU market.

“The Brexit issue - whether to leave or stay in the EU - is up to the British people to decide. However, Japan really wants the UK to remain part of the EU. Because this would also be a better choice for the world, with the UK being part of a strong EU. Voting for the UK to leave would make the UK less attractive in the eyes of Japanese investors,” said Mr. Abe.

The Japanese leader affirmed that his top priority is to sign a comprehensive trade agreement with the EU, rather than negotiating separately with each country in the bloc. In addition, the two Prime Ministers also agreed that the UK and Japan will redouble their efforts to sign the Japan-EU free trade agreement as soon as possible.

According to the plan, Britain will hold a referendum on June 23 to decide whether to continue to be a member of the EU or not. Poll results released at the end of April showed that the number of Britons who want the country to stay in the EU has increased.

Some analysts say that whether Britain continues to stay in the EU or not may depend on whether young people in the "Foggy Land" actively vote in the upcoming referendum or not./.

According to VOV