Abe to Visit Mongolia, Central Asia from Thursday

Tokyo, Oct. 20 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Mongolia and five Central Asian countries for seven days from Thursday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Tuesday. This will be Abe's first overseas trip since the inauguration of his new cabinet earlier this month. He will first go to Mongolia and then travel to Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan in that order, to hold talks with leaders of the six countries. "Mongolia is an important regional partner that shares the same values with Japan," Suga told a press conference. "Rich in natural resources, Central Asia is a significant region located at the center of Eurasia," the top government spokesman said, stressing the need for Japan to reinforce its ties with the region. Abe apparently hopes that his visit to Mongolia will also help strengthen bilateral relations so that progress will be made in the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. Mongolia has diplomatic ties with the reclusive nation. Abe will deliver a speech on Japan's policy on Central Asia in the Kazakh capital of Astana on Oct. 27. In Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Abe will attend business forum meetings. A number of Japanese corporate executives will accompany Abe, aiming to expand business opportunities in such areas as resources and infrastructure development. Abe will be the first Japanese prime minister to visit Turkmenistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. END