BRUSSELS, April 25 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called for the no-deal Brexit to be avoided "by all means" on Thursday, in a joint press briefing with European Union (EU) leaders Jean-Claude Juncker and Donald Tusk in Brussels.
After the 26th Summit between the EU and Japan, Abe was asked by a reporter on the United Kingdom's withdrawal from the EU.
"There is the UK as a member of the EU; because of that, many Japanese companies made investments in Britain," Abe said. "Under this backdrop, a no-deal Brexit is what we have to avoid by all means."
"We strongly hope that it will be possible for Japanese companies to continue" doing business in Britain, Abe said, adding "it is true that they (Britain) play the function of gateway to Europe for us."
Abe said he has been mentioning this to British Prime Minister Theresa May as well as EU leaders.
"So a smooth Brexit is what we hope for," said Abe.
