Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown, expressed hope Wednesday that financial reform bills now before the Diet will be enacted and implemented as soon as possible.
In a speech at the Federation of Bankers Associations of Japan, Brown also urged countries not to resort to isolationism or protectionism in times of economic crisis.
"The essential answer to the problems of the moment is not less globalization, no new national structures to separate and isolate economies," he said. "Our urgent need is closer cooperation, continuing dialogue and an unwavering commitment to open commerce."