Throughout the whole Brexit drama major Japanese investors in British industry have been rightly concerned about a sharp break between the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union. Other major investors in the U.K., which hitherto has been by far the largest European recipient of foreign direct investment, have felt the same way.
And entirely understandably so. After all, many chose the U.K. not just because it seemed a fair, stable and pleasant place to be, with a good labor force , but because it was an open part of the large neighboring European market. And "no deal" departure would be bound to raise border controls, impose delays and interrupt complex supply chains.
Can their fears now be put at rest? Not, alas at this very moment , but if, repeat if, a Conservative government is returned in the general election on Dec. 12, and if, repeat if, the new Parliament is no longer paralyzed and has a clear government majority, then an orderly deal is there on the table and ready to be approved and passed by the due date of Jan. 31.