Japan and Britain said they hope to achieve a swift deal on mutual recognition of each other's standards for goods and services when Britain leaves the European Union.

Britain is looking to cement its relationship with Japan — whose firms have invested billions in the country's auto and energy sectors — as it prepares to leave the EU in March 2019.

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Theresa May visited Japan to reassure her counterpart Shinzo Abe and concerned investors that Brexit will not make it a less attractive business partner. Speaking at a meeting in London focused on foreign and defense policy, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono said he wanted agreements with Britain on mutual recognition of standards and judicial support after Brexit.