UK's May to Japan's Abe: investors will like post-Brexit UK

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May welcomes Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan to Chequers near Wendover, England, Friday, April 28, 2017. Chequers is the official country retreat for Britain's Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool) (The Associated Press)

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Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May shows Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan around the garden at Chequers near Wendover, England, Friday, April 28, 2017. Chequers is the official country residence for Britain's Prime Minister. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool) (The Associated Press)

Britain's Prime Minister Theresa May delivers a statement alongside Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan at Chequers near Wendover in Buckinghamshire, England, Friday, April 28, 2017. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, pool) (The Associated Press)

LONDON – Prime Minister Theresa May has told Japan's leader that she is determined to keep Britain "the best place in Europe" to run a business once the country leaves the European Union.

May met Friday with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at Chequers, the British leader's country retreat outside London.

May hailed Japan as "our closest Asian security partner," and an important economic ally. May noted that 1,000 Japanese companies including Honda, Hitachi and Mitsubishi employ 140,000 people in Britain.

May said "our strong economy, high level of skills, and low levels of taxation" would keep Britain an attractive destination for investment after Brexit.

She said the two leaders also agreed to "work with our international partners to maintain pressure on North Korea" over its missile tests and nuclear program.