Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took the stage at the World Economic Forum's 2019 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, on Wednesday, where he stressed Japan's commitment to enhancing a free, open and rules-based international order.

Flying in from Moscow and appearing in front of the audience in Davos for the first time in five years, Abe spoke about his trade policy and touted some of the growth strategies he has initiated since taking office for the second time in 2012, such as efforts toward the implementation of womenomics, requests to companies to increase wages and the passing of a bill that paves the way for the invitation of some 340,000 foreign workers.

During the annual meeting, which kicked off Tuesday, Abe noted that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership finally took effect on Dec. 30, and that the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement will also enter into force on Feb. 1.