Theresa May is flying to Japan for trade and security talks as the nation is on high alert after North Korea fired a missile over the north of the country.
The Prime Minister will tell counterpart Shinzo Abe she is “outraged” by Pyongyang’s missile launch and is set to become the first European leader to attend a meeting of the Japanese National Security Council.
Mrs May will be pushing for progress in developing an “ambitious” trade deal ready for when the UK quits the European Union.
The PM wants to use the trade agreement being finalised between the EU and Japan as the basis for a future pact with the UK.
But it comes amid claims that Japanese businesses operating in the UK are “concerned” about Brexit and warnings Tokyo is prioritising nailing down arrangements with Brussels.
Minister for public diplomacy at the Japanese embassy Shinichi Iida said it was “no secret” that Tokyo wanted Britain to remain in the EU and said companies wanted “clarity” over the Brexit process.
Mrs May said: “Building on our existing ties with friends and allies around the world is vital as Britain prepares for a new era outside the European Union.
“Japan has long been a natural trading partner for the UK as a like-minded nation with a shared belief in free trade and a rules-based international system, and my discussions with Prime Minister Abe will focus on how we can prepare the ground for an ambitious free trade agreement after Brexit, based on the EU-Japan agreement which I very much hope is nearing conclusion.
“As our closest security partner in Asia, we will also discuss how we can work much more closely together on cyber security, counter-terrorism and defence – more important than ever in this uncertain world.”
Downing Street said the Prime Minister’s travel plans “haven’t changed at all” despite the launch of a missile over the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido, which landed in the Pacific Ocean.
Kim Jong Un’s nuclear and ballistic missile programmes were already on the agenda for the discussions in Tokyo.
Mrs May is attending a meeting of the Japanese National Security Council, with former Australian premier Tony Abbott the only other leader to have been given the honour.
After arriving in Kyoto, Japan’s ancient capital, on Wednesday, she will attend a traditional tea ceremony with Mr Abe before they head to Tokyo on a high-speed bullet train.
Mrs May will visit the headquarters of the Japanese maritime self defence force on Thursday where its flagship aircraft carrier IZUMO is based and will be briefed by UK and Japanese military personnel on board.
A 15-strong delegation of UK business leaders, along with International Trade Secretary Liam Fox, are flying out for the visit and will attend the UK Japan business forum in central Tokyo, where the PM will make a speech.
Downing Street said the group, which includes Aston Martin president Andy Palmer, senior adviser at Barclays Capital Investment David Wright, CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn, and Karen Bett, chief executive officer of the Scotch Whisky Association, “showcases the strength” of British business.
Mr Abe will host the Prime Minister at a banquet on Thursday evening and Mrs May will then be granted an audience with Emperor Akihito, who is expected to abdicate in the coming months, at the Imperial Palace on Friday.
It is Mrs May’s first visit to Japan since entering No 10 but follows meetings with the Japanese PM at the G20, as well as in Chequers earlier this year and the UN in New York in 2016.
Downing Street said that over the course of the three-day trip the premiers will be “spending quite a significant amount of time together” and will have plenty of time to get into the details of future relations.
Mr Fox said: “Japan is one of the UK’s largest non-EU trading partners, and as an international economic department we are engaging with businesses on both sides to maximise commercial opportunities and ensure continuity in trade as we leave the EU.
“Our aim for this visit will be to strengthen our already strong bilateral relationship and lay the groundwork for a future trade agreement.
“The UK is Japan’s second most popular investment destination, and leading the business delegation is a key part of ensuring we are continuing to work closely with Japanese buyers to attract investment to the UK to create prosperity and jobs.”
Barry Gardiner, shadow international trade secretary, said: “Whilst Theresa May is desperately trying to spin this visit as scoping out a future bilateral trade and investment agreement, the reality is that the Government is spooked by the fact that Japanese banks like Nomura have already announced their intention to relocate their European HQ to Frankfurt.
“Prime Minister Abe is only saying the same as senior US negotiators: get your house in order with the EU. Until you do, we cannot know what sort of a deal we need with the UK.”