UK appeals to Japan to set up post-Brexit trade

British trade minister Liz Truss on Friday signed a mutual recognition agreement with Japan to ensure business continuity, as the two countries moved closer to a post-Brexit trade deal. Truss said she was interested in hearing from Japanese businesses about where they saw future opportunities in the bilateral trade.

The exchange of letters would ensure UK certificates and inspections of technical regulations which are currently covered by the EU-Japan Mutual Recognition Agreement. They will continue to be recognized by Japan and vice versa. Japan is one of Britain's biggest foreign investors, encouraged by successive British governments who have promised a business-friendly base from which to trade across Europe.