TOKYO, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday held a phone conversation with new British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, the Japanese foreign ministry said.

It was the first conversation over the phone between the two leaders since Johnson took office last week.

Abe expressed concern about a possible negative impact on Japanese firms operating in Britain if it quits the European Union without a deal.

The Japanese PM asked Johnson to ensure an orderly exit from the bloc.

According to the ministry, Johnson responded by promising to sufficiently consider such companies.

The two sides also agreed to coordinate over the matter of the denuclearization of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.