Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his visiting Italian counterpart, Matteo Renzi, agreed Monday to strengthen bilateral security and economic ties, and cooperate further on a wide range of global issues.
"It's significant that Matteo and I confirmed to expand the Japan-Italy cooperative relations and shore up cooperation in addressing various issues for the international community," Abe said at a joint news conference following their summit at the prime minister's office.
Abe said Renzi gave his support to the security bills currently under deliberation in the Diet to expand the overseas role of the Self-Defense Forces.