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Preceding Day of the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting Friday, November 17, 2006 JAPANESE

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left Haneda Airport on the afternoon of November 17 to take part in the 14th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting to be convened from November 18, and to make an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam. Prime Minister Abe arrived at Hanoi, the capital of Viet Nam, on the afternoon of November 17, the eve of the APEC meeting. Prime Minister Abe was resolved to actively promote summit diplomacy, taking this opportunity of the APEC summit in which the leaders of 21 countries and regions meet. Immediately after his arrival in Hanoi, Prime Minister Abe held a meeting with Ms. Michelle Bachelet, the President of the Republic of Chile. During the meeting, the two leaders confirmed the successful completion of the negotiations on the Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). The two leaders then announced a joint press release. Prime Minister Abe thereafter held a meeting with Mr. Lee Hsien Loong, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore, to discuss the Japan-Singapore EPA as well as the North Korea issues. Following the meetings, Prime Minister Abe received a courtesy call from Mr. Hidetoshi Nakata, a former player of Japan's National Soccer Team, who was staying in Viet Nam. Mr. Nakata had been touring countries in Asia since October, wishing to expand his knowledge of the world's countries. Prime Minister Abe enjoyed talking with Mr. Nakata about soccer and Mr. Nakata's recent activities.