Japanese officials will tell Theresa May to end the "sense of crisis" around Brexit as she flies in for trade talks on Wednesday.

Yasutoshi Nishimura, deputy chief cabinet secretary, said he wanted the UK’s divorce with Brussels to be conducted in an orderly manner to avoid any disruption for Japanese businesses operating in the UK.

More than 1,000 Japanese companies currently operate in Britain employing some 140,000 people, while Japan’s direct investment in the UK has topped 10 trillion yen (£71bn).

Mrs May will visit Japan for trade talks with Shinzo Abe, the Japanese prime minister, as part of a three day trip during which she is also expected to meet with Emperor Akihito.