Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left Thursday to attend the Group of 20 summit in Argentina and hold bilateral talks with world leaders on the sidelines.
"I would like to lead discussions on strengthening the free and fair trade system and the sustainable growth of the global economy" during the G20 summit, Abe told reporters before his departure.
During his six-day trip, Abe is expected to hold separate talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday, and Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, the Japanese government said.