The former British ambassador to Japan (2008–2012) Sir David Warren KCMG has written in an essay for The Royal Institute of International Affairs that Brexit could have a “grave” impact on UK–Japan relations, The Guardian reported on 15 February.
Warren writes that Japanese policy analysts are confused by UK government rhetoric surrounding the global opportunities offered by Brexit. In Japan, power projection is seen as heavily dependent on economic strength, and thus leaving a large economic bloc is seen by many officials as constituting political self-harm.