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Japan Launches 'Brexit Service Desk' to Support Japanese Companies

Japan is creating a “Brexit Service Desk” to support the country’s small and medium-sized companies operating in the United Kingdom after the U.K. leaves the European Union, Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry said in an Oct. 4 press release, according to an unofficial translation. The service desk will be run by 200 “staff and specialists,” the release said, and will provide “individual consultations” to Japanese companies to help them understand the “latest information on local laws and regulations” for “smooth business.”

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The ministry said it is concerned that Japanese companies will be “adversely affected” by Brexit, including added costs from customs duties and the “disruption of logistics associated with the reinstatement of customs clearance procedures.” Japan has urged the U.K. and the EU to avoid a no-deal Brexit, the release said, and created the service desk “to provide proactive and detailed support” to Japanese companies impacted by the change.