Japan's Abe departs for 5-day European tour

TOKYO - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe departed Tuesday for a European tour that will see him visit Spain, France and Belgium for a series of summit talks and to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Belgium.

Prior to his departure, the Japanese leader said that he will during his five-day trip underscore the importance of a "free, fair and ruled-based economic order," amid rising concerns about global protectionism.

The first stop for Abe will be Spain, where he is scheduled to meet with both Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI before heading to France on Wednesday.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron will host Abe, with a number of pertinent issues including Japan's free trade agreement with the European Union and Japan's push for fair and open trade likely to be high on the agenda, sources here said.

On Thursday, Abe will visit Brussels in Belgium to attend the two-day ASEM summit, which is held every other year with Asia and Europe alternating as hosts.

A number of issues are slated to be traversed at the ASEM summit this year including those related to cybersecurity, environmental protection and female empowerment.