Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says the European Union and Japan should soon reach an economic deal, while stressing the importance of free trade to his country.
"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 on Sunday.
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."
