Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left Japan on Sunday for a four-day European trip that will see him make stops in Germany, France, the European Union headquarters in Brussels and Italy.

According to government officials, Abe wants to help lay the groundwork for a successful Group of Seven summit in Italy in May.

He is expected to seek affirmation of the importance of free trade in talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, French President Francois Hollande, Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni and European Council President Donald Tusk.