Japan tells UK to stay in the EU

By Emma Rowley 

Britain should stay in the EU, Japan has warned, hinting that tens of thousands of British jobs at Japanese companies hang in the balance.

Tokyo, describing itself as keen to strengthen its relationship with the European Union, has said that if the UK left the single market it would have negative consequences for itself and, by implication, the UK. 

"If the UK leaves the single market, countries investing in the UK and exporting to the EU would have to pay tariffs, and that is not good news," the Japanese embassy in London said, following an official submission by the country to a Government consultation. 

The UK's membership of the EU is under increased scrutiny after Prime Minister David Cameron pledged to renegotiate the relationship and hold a referendum on membership before the end of 2017 - if he is still in office. Economists warn that the economic toll of an exit would be enormous for the UK, harming ties with our biggest trading partner. 

The Japanese government's stance emerged in a submission to a UK Government consultation, in which Tokyo argued that Japanese companies see Britain as a gateway to the European market, according to a report . 

The submission to the Foreign Office review said that the UK's current status has acted to bring Japanese investment to the country, stressing that Japan is working to make its relationship with the EU "stronger than ever before". 

"In this context, it expects that the UK will maintain a strong voice and continue to play a major role in the EU," it said. 

"The UK, as a champion of free trade, is a reliable partner for Japan. More than 1,300 Japanese companies have invested in the UK, as part of the single market of the EU, and have created 130,000 jobs, more than anywhere else in Europe. 

"This fact demonstrates that the advantage of the UK as a gateway to the European market has attracted Japanese investment." Telegraph