A hard Brexit is the last thing Japan wants / Japan is as curious as everyone else: what is Theresa May’s Brexit plan?

Abstract:

Japan is probably the only non-EU country to have taken a clear stance on Brexit and its consequences for future political, economic and commercial relations with the UK.

While the country is close to finalising a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) with the EU, the negative vote on the referendum has stirred up debate in Tokyo and prompted changes in the government’s views on Europe.

The UK reacted by proposing a bilateral FTA, but this of course would be pre-conditioned on the resolution of numerous questions about its future relationship with the EU and the transitional arrangements, amongst others, for the ongoing FTA discussions.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: G20: Theresa May faces Brexit trade pressure http://www.europeansources.info/record/g20-theresa-may-faces-brexit-trade-pressure/

ESO: Background information: Japan Lays Out a Guide to Brexit http://www.europeansources.info/record/japan-lays-out-a-guide-to-brexit/

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Speech, 31.08.17: Prime Minister's Press Statement in Tokyo https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/prime-ministers-press-statement-in-tokyo

UK: GOV.UK: Press Release, 30.08.17: PM heads to Japan to build strong post-Brexit relationship with Tokyo https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-heads-to-japan-to-build-strong-post-brexit-relationship-with-toyko

The Guardian, 30.08.17: [Opinion]: Japan is as curious as everyone else: what is Theresa May’s Brexit plan? https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/aug/30/japan-theresa-may-brexit-plan-trade-deal

Deutsche Welle, 30.08.17: Theresa May aims to calm Japan's Brexit concerns on Tokyo trip http://p.dw.com/p/2j3SQ

BBC News, 30.08.17: May in Japan: How much does Japan want a UK trade deal? http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-41096406

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