Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and his British counterpart Dominic Raab agreed to start talks soon to conclude the Japan-Britain economic partnership agreement when the two met at the Iikura Guest House in Minato Ward, Tokyo, on Saturday.
It was the first Japan-British foreign ministers' talks since Britain withdrew from the European Union at the end of last month.
The new agreement will serve as an alternative to the economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU.
Motegi told Raab that Japan intends to assist Britain in joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement. The two also agreed to coordinate a two-plus-two meeting of foreign and defense ministers of the two countries.
At a joint press conference after the talks, Motegi said Britain will remain as Japan's strategic partner, as the two countries share the same basic values even after Brexit. Raab said Japan is their closest partner in Asia for national security. The two also issued a joint press statement that included strengthening cooperation in the fields of national security and economy.
Since its withdrawal from the EU, Britain aims to strengthen relations with non-EU countries. Raab chose Japan as the destination for his first overseas trip after Brexit along with Asia-Pacific countries of the Commonwealth, such as Australia.
"This shows that Britain values Japan as a partner," a senior Foreign Ministry official said. The government aims to strengthen relations with Britain in a wide range of fields.
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