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Theresa May seeks to allay Brexit concerns during Japan visit China must 'pressure' North Korea over weapons tests - May
(about 1 hour later)
Theresa May is beginning an official visit to Japan as she seeks to drum up trade and allay Brexit concerns. Prime Minister Theresa May has said the UK will "redouble" its efforts to curb North Korea's "outrageous" weapons testing regime, but urged China to exert its influence over Pyongyang.
Japan, which is negotiating a trade deal of its own with the EU, has been forthright in expressing concerns about Brexit's impact on its UK-based firms, which employ about 140,000 people. Speaking as she travelled to Japan for a visit, she accused North Korea of "significant actions of provocation".
The UK cannot negotiate bilateral trade deals until it leaves the EU in 2019. Japan is preoccupied with tackling the fallout from North Korea's missile test over its northern Hokkaido island.
Japan is currently preoccupied with tackling the fallout from North Korea's missile test over Hokkaido island. The PM's official visit also aims to drum up trade and allay Brexit worries.
The British prime minister, who landed in Kyoto shortly before 14:00 local time, has condemned North Korea's actions as "reckless provocation". Arriving in Kyoto shortly before 14:00 local time, Mrs May insisted North Korea's weapons testing programme was illegal.
Speaking before her journey to Japan, she said: "These are illegal tests, we strongly condemn them and we will be working with Japan and other international partners to ensure that pressure is put on North Korea to stop this illegal action." She said: "We will be re-doubling our efforts with our international partners to put pressure on North Korea to stop these illegal activities."
The PM said the UK was involved in "discussions about further sanctions" and looking at "the sort of change that China can bring".
She said China had "a key role to play" and urged Beijing to do "everything it can" to exert pressure on North Korea.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called the missile launch an "unprecedented" threat to his country, while US President Donald Trump said it was an act of "contempt".
Mr Abe and Japan's Emperor Akihito are expected to greet Mrs May when she arrives in Tokyo for the three-day trip.
Trade 'enthusiasm'Trade 'enthusiasm'
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called it an "unprecedented" threat to his country, while US President Donald Trump said it was an act of "contempt". The PM is accompanied on the trip by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and a delegation of business leaders drawn from a range of sectors.
Mr Abe and Japan's Emperor Akihito are expected to greet Mrs May when she arrives in Tokyo. They will be keen to demonstrate their enthusiasm for new trade agreements with Japan.
Mrs May's trip is due to last for three days. She will be accompanied by International Trade Secretary Liam Fox and a delegation of business leaders drawn from a range of sectors. The UK will, however, be unable to sign any bilateral deals until it has left the EU in 2019.
They will be keen to demonstrate their enthusiasm for new trade agreements with Japan. The UK will, however, be unable to sign any deal until it has left the EU Japan, which is currently negotiating a trade deal of its own with the EU, has been forthright in expressing concerns about Brexit's impact on its UK-based firms, which employ about 140,000 people.
Mr Abe will be seeking assurances from Theresa May that Brexit will not be detrimental to Japanese businesses with bases in the UK.Mr Abe will be seeking assurances from Theresa May that Brexit will not be detrimental to Japanese businesses with bases in the UK.
Japan also wants to know what kind of relationship the UK will have with the EU post-Brexit.Japan also wants to know what kind of relationship the UK will have with the EU post-Brexit.
That is the subject of ongoing negotiations in Brussels between Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Mr Barnier has urged the UK to start "negotiating seriously".That is the subject of ongoing negotiations in Brussels between Brexit Secretary David Davis and the EU's chief negotiator Michel Barnier. Mr Barnier has urged the UK to start "negotiating seriously".
Nissan models
In a report last year, the Japanese foreign minister warned Brexit could result in Japanese firms moving their European head offices out of Britain.In a report last year, the Japanese foreign minister warned Brexit could result in Japanese firms moving their European head offices out of Britain.
It urged the British government to deal with concerns in a "responsible manner".It urged the British government to deal with concerns in a "responsible manner".
Nomura bank, Hitachi and carmakers Honda, Nissan and Toyota all have bases in the UK.Nomura bank, Hitachi and carmakers Honda, Nissan and Toyota all have bases in the UK.
Earlier this year, Nissan said it would build two new models - the new Qashqai and X-Trail - at its Sunderland plant after the government promised that competitiveness would not be damaged by its EU exit.Earlier this year, Nissan said it would build two new models - the new Qashqai and X-Trail - at its Sunderland plant after the government promised that competitiveness would not be damaged by its EU exit.