Japanese PM Abe wants economic deal with European Union soon

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that the European Union and Japan should soon reach an economic deal, and stressed the importance of free trade to his country.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said on Sunday that the European Union and Japan should soon reach an economic deal, and stressed the importance of free trade to his country.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe raises his hand as he walks at his official residence in Tokyo on March 16.(Reuters Photo)

“We must conclude an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the EU at an early time,” Abe said at the opening of the CeBIT technology fair in Hanover, northern Germany.

He also said: “Japan, having gone through reaping in abundance the benefits of free trade and investment, wants to be the champion upholding open systems alongside Germany.”