British Prime Minister Theresa May shakes hands with her Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe following their joint press conference at the state guest house in Tokyo, Japan, August 31, 2017. REUTERS/Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool

TOKYO: Britain and Japan are aiming to put in place a bilateral trade agreement ?pretty much immediately? after Brexit, a government source said on Thursday, as Prime Minister Theresa May tries to reassure businesses and politicians during a visit to Tokyo.

?Our intention would be for our deal to come into force pretty much immediately,? a government source said on Thursday. ?That?s the UK position and they?ve (Japan) agreed to it.?

The source also said that May had met Toyota Chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada, Nissan CEO Hiroto Saikawa, and Hitachi Chairman Hiroaki Nakanishi during her trip.

The meetings were ?enthusiastic and positive?, the source said.