Prime Minister and LDP President Shinzo Abe attended the RCEP meeting for negotiations among 16 participating countries (ASEAN + Japan, China, India and three others). When the agreement is completed, RCEP will represent roughly half the world's population and 30% of the global GDP. In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Abe spoke about his ambitions to build a free, fair, rules-based economic order for the 21st century. Amidst growing concerns over protectionism, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of an united Asia continuing to be the standard-bearer for free trade.

<July 1 (Sunday) Shinjuku-ku,Tokyo>