InsideJapan News Network

The UK is keen to establish closer economic ties with Japan, foreign secretary William Hague has said during a tour of Asia.

Speaking at the British Embassy in Tokyo, Mr Hague said that the new coalition government "believes that British foreign policy needs to support the UK economy to a greater degree".

He said that his visit to Japan, where he has met with foreign minister Katsuya Okada, is aimed at finding "a closer partnership" in both commerce and foreign policy.

Hague was joined on his trip by French prime minister Francois Fillon, who met up with Japanese prime minister Naoto Kan on the visit.

Kan has only been in power for a matter of weeks following the surprise resignation of former leader Yukio Hatoyama. Since being elected as new party leader and prime minister, Kan has struggled with a sharp fall in popularity among voters.

Former leader Hatoyama also suffered with a lack of confidence among voters in Japan.

Written by Mark Smith.