[Provisional Translation]

On January 21, 2019, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference at the Prime Minister’s Office.

With regard to his visit to the Russian Federation, attendance at the World Economic Forum and other matters, the Prime Minister said,

“The negotiations with Russia are an issue which has remained for more than 70 years since the end of the War. It is never easy. I would like to take time for frank and candid discussions with President Putin, and advance peace treaty negotiations as much as possible.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, top leaders of the world, business leaders, opinion leaders and journalists will meet together and have dialogues on the various issues facing the world. I will deliver a keynote speech as the Chair of the G20 Osaka Summit, and I would like to communicate Japan’s views on the creation of global rules in the digital era and the promotion of free trade as well as global issues such as climate change and plastic waste in the oceans. Towards the G20 Osaka Summit, I would like to exercise leadership to address the various issues facing the international community.