Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
LONDON (AP) — Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says Britain will be a less attractive destination for Japanese investment if it leaves the European Union.
Abe became the latest world leader to weigh in on Britain's EU debate during a visit to London on Thursday.
He told reporters at a news conference with Prime Minister David Cameron that "Japan's interests are also at stake" in Britain's June 23 referendum on EU membership.
He said that "Japan very clearly would prefer Britain to remain within the EU" and noted that 1,000 Japanese businesses in Britain employ some 140,000 people.
Abe said many were based in Britain "precisely because the U.K. is a gateway to the EU. A vote to leave would make the U.K. less attractive as a destination for Japanese investment."
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.