USA: Japan PM urges US to take lead on Trans-Pacific Partnership

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe urged the US to "take the lead" together with Japan in a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), as he addressed Congress in Washington, Wednesday. Abe, the first Japanese Prime Minister to speak at a joint Congress meeting, said that the two countries should work together to create a dynamic and free market, regardless of the "arbitrary intentions" of other nations. The Prime Minister also offered his "eternal condolences" for the US soldiers who died in the Second World War. Abe told Congress he visited the US WWII memorial and reflected on Japan's role in historic events. The Prime Minister ended his speech by praising the US support during the Fukoshima disaster and saying that the US and Japan relations should be an "alliance of hope."