The European Union’s head of trade said Thursday that at a Group of 20 summit meeting in Japan next June she will support efforts to reform the World Trade Organization.

The European Union and Japan see reform as necessary to check dubious trade practices by members such as China and to create a more level playing field.

"It is true that the WTO needs to be reformed, updated, modernized," European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmstrom told reporters in Brussels, adding the European Union will support Japan in the issue when it takes over the G20 presidency next year.