Buffeted by Brexit, British firms try to chart a course in the Japanese market

This is the first of a three-part series examining what could happen to British and Japanese companies affected by Brexit.

As prospects of a no-deal Brexit persist, British companies are coming under more pressure than ever to develop a footprint in markets outside of the European Union.

In many ways, Japan is an obvious destination, considering the sheer size of its economy and the depth of historical ties — British industrialists played a key role in the overhaul of Japan's economic base during the Meiji Era (1868-1912). Specifically, the country boasts mature, affluent consumers who demand high-quality goods, and manufacturers in need of the kinds of advanced components and machinery that British manufacturers specialize in.