Boris Johnson today blasted 'reckless' North Korea as he vowed Britain would stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Japan.

The Foreign Secretary is in Tokyo for talks on trade and international security as part of a regional tour that will see him travel onto New Zealand.

Mr Johnson also met with the Tokyo Governor to discuss how London can use its experience of 2012 to help with the city's Olympic Games in 2020.

Mr Johnson's trip has allowed him to leave behind bitter Cabinet rows at home that dominated the final days of the Parliamentary term.

He was blamed by some for triggering extraordinary rows over how to deliver Brexit.

Boris Johnson (pictured in Tokyo today Japan's Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida) had blasted 'reckless' North Korea as he vowed Britain would stand 'shoulder to shoulder' with Japan

Mr Johnson and Mr Kishida confirmed the strong economic relationship between Japan and the UK post-Brexit at today's press conference (pictured)

The Foreign Secretary is in Tokyo for talks on trade and international security (pictured) as part of a regional tour that will see him travel onto New Zealand

After meeting his Japanese counterpart, Fumio Kishida Mr Johnson said: 'We all need to increase the pressure on Pyongyang through diplomacy and sanctions, and that must include China using its influence to bring North Korea back to the negotiation table.

The Foreign Secretary called North Korea's recent launch of its first intercontinental ballistic missile, Hwasong-14, in early July, 'a reckless provocation.'

Beyond shared security threats, the two officials confirmed the strong economic relationship between Japan and the UK post-Brexit.

'We're leaving the EU but not leaving Europe,' Johnson said, insisting that quitting the EU will allow Britain to continue to build its commercial and economic relationship with Japan.

He noted the strength of both UK exports to Japan as well as Japanese investment in the UK.

Mr Johnson also met with the Tokyo Governor (pictured) to discuss how London can use its experience of 2012 to help with the city's Olympic Games in 2020

Mr Johnson donned a Tokyo 2020 lapel pin at the meeting, at which he recalled his own experience of being London Mayor during the 2012 Games

Johnson is also meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the governor of Tokyo on day two of a three-day trip to Japan.

The Japanese Foreign Ministry says they are discussing increased diplomatic and security cooperation and the Olympics.

In the remainder of his trip, he is set to meet with Japanese business leaders for talks on enhanced trade and investment before traveling to New Zealand and Australia.

In a radio interview last night with LBC's Iain Dale Mrs May said this week's extraordinary public rows was 'sadly' not the only instance of Cabinet discussions being leaked.

And she warned: 'It should not happen. It is important we accept collective responsibility - it is not for ourselves it is because we have a job to do.

'There is no such thing as an unsackable minister but at the moment the team is together and we are getting on with the job of delivering what we believe the British people want us to do.

'Brexit is a key part of that but there is a lot else we need to deal with too.'