Britain might be a world away, but the future of a 500-year-old family company in rural Japan could rest on the United Kingdom's decision to quit the European Union.

Chikumeido, a specialty maker of delicate bamboo whisks used in traditional tea ceremonies, started selling the niche products in the UK last year, its first major push overseas.

Sabun Kubo, its 71-year-old president, hoped the gamble would pay off by setting up his little company for a launch into the potentially lucrative European market, and counter years of falling sales.