Japan’s PM says ‘whole world’ is against no-deal Brexit
Shinzo Abe angers Eurosceptic MPs by pledging ‘total support’ for Theresa May’s deal
Japanese Prime Minster Shinzo Abe has told Theresa May that the “whole world” wants the UK to avoid leaving the European Union without a deal.
Speaking after trade talks with his British counterpart at Downing Street yesterday, Abe said that Japan was in “total support” of her EU Withdrawal Agreement, which is widely expecting to be voted down by MPs next week, the BBC says.
He added: “We truly hope that a no-deal Brexit will be avoided, and in fact that is the whole wish of the whole world.”
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Abe’s visit comes amid news that Honda has announced a six-day post-Brexit shutdown of its operations in the UK.
The firm is one of around 1,000 Japanese businesses with bases in the UK that together employ more than 150,000 people.
Japanese firms view the UK as the “gateway to the European market” and are alarmed by the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, ITV News reports.
The Japanese PM touched on those fears during a Downing Street press conference, saying that he backed May’s deal because it “provides for transition to ensure legal stability for businesses that have invested into this country”.
May responded that leaving the EU provided “an unprecedented opportunity” for countries to strengthen relations, and both leaders pledged to build a “ambitious bilateral arrangement” between Japan and the UK following Brexit.
But Abe’s comments have angered some Brexiteers, with Eurosceptic Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg suggesting that Japan “can hardly claim to speak for the whole world” given to its controversial policy on whale hunting.
Fellow Tory MP Simon Clarke added that Abe’s comments “brings back memories of President Obama being wheeled out by David Cameron before the referendum”, and described this week’s meeting as a “stunt”.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
'Horror stories of women having to carry nonviable fetuses'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Today's political cartoons - April 26, 2024
Cartoons Friday's cartoons - teleprompter troubles, presidential immunity, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Haiti interim council, prime minister sworn in
Speed Read Prime Minister Ariel Henry resigns amid surging gang violence
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Myanmar: the Spring Revolution and the downfall of the generals
Talking Point An armed protest movement has swept across the country since the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi was overthrown in 2021
By The Week Staff Published
-
Israel hits Iran with retaliatory airstrike
Speed Read The attack comes after Iran's drone and missile barrage last weekend
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Is there a peaceful way forward for Israel and Iran?
Today's Big Question Tehran has initially sought to downplay the latest Israeli missile strike on its territory
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sudan on brink of collapse after a year of war
Speed Read 18 million people face famine as the country continues its bloody downward spiral
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How powerful is Iran?
Today's big question Islamic republic is facing domestic dissent and 'economic peril' but has a vast military, dangerous allies and a nuclear threat
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
US, Israel brace for Iran retaliatory strikes
Speed Read An Iranian attack on Israel is believed to be imminent
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
How green onions could swing South Korea's election
The Explainer Country's president has fallen foul of the oldest trick in the campaign book, not knowing the price of groceries
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published