Abe to visit western European countries early next year

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is to visit western European countries in mid-January to carry out his omni-directional foreign policy, local newspaper reported on Saturday.

The prime minister plans to visit Britain, France, Belgium, and also the European Union headquarters in Brussels from Jan. 9 to 14, the Japanese economic daily Nihon Keizai Shimbun said in its Saturday evening editions, adding that Abe may also travel to Germany.

During his visit, Abe is expected to confirm cooperation in strengthening political and economic ties with the European leaders, and will take the opportunities to explain Japan's policy on the Korean Peninsula nuclear issues, the newspaper said.

Abe may also make his first visit to the United States next spring, the report added.

Source: Xinhua