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Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Greg Clark has been meeting businesses and investors in Japan this week to discuss the great potential for the UK’s car, nuclear and life sciences industries.

The Secretary of State met with The Minister Of International Trade and Industry, Motoo Hayashi, to discuss strengthening UK-Japanese economic ties as well as hosting an investor engagement event attended by over 50 of Japan’s largest companies and investors from across the automobile, energy, life sciences, financial and services sectors to discuss the opportunities available for inward investment in the UK.

As well as chairing a roundtable with automobile manufacturers including Nissan, Honda, Toyota and Mitsubishi during his visit, Greg Clark also discussed future new nuclear power stations with representatives from Toshiba and Hitachi. Investment in nuclear power will transform the UK energy system and make a vital contribution to providing secure, affordable and low carbon electricity for the decades ahead.

Speaking just ahead of his visit to Japan, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said:

“Britain is the same outward-looking, world-leading and globally minded nation that we have always been.

“Japan is one of our key economic partners and second largest inward investor and we want to see our partnership continue to grow and flourish. I am travelling to Japan at the earliest opportunity to ensure we are working closely with businesses in every part of the world to demonstrate the huge potential available and give them the certainty they need to invest and grow in the UK.

“We will ensure the message that Britain is the best place in Europe to do business is heard loud and clear.”

Such an early visit to Japan from the newly appointed Secretary of State sends a clear message that the UK is and always will be open for business, and shows that we continue to be an influential power on the world stage, working with international partners to ensure security and prosperity.