Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Indonesia Sunday at the start of a three-nation Asian tour, with a key trade agreement to be signed between Tokyo and Jakarta during his stop here. Abe arrived at Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusumah airbase, where he was met by local dignitaries led by foreign minister Hassan Wirayuda.
On Monday, the premier will meet with host President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono for bilateral talks and to oversee the signing of a comprehensive Economy Partnership Agreement, which has been under negotiation since mid-2005.
The so-called EPA is a modified free trade deal that sees Japan offer extra benefits to partners beyond simple tariff cuts. Under the pact, more than 90 percent of trade between the two nations will gradually become tax-free.