Mr Johnson said he had been hugely impressed with Japan during his visit. He said: "I spent the first 24 hours in a state of stupefaction — partly at the lickable-pavement cleanliness of the place, and partly at the politeness. I ran by the Yodo river in Osaka, and through the town, and all the way I rejoiced as people turned and bowed with an ornate ceremony. ‘I don’t mean to be rude,’ said my private secretary when I told her, ‘but I don’t think they are doing it just for you.’ Still, they do seem to like Britain."