TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting Pope Francis agreed Monday to strengthen cooperation between Tokyo and the Vatican in realizing world peace and promoting human rights.

"Japan and the Vatican are partners that value peace, the realization of a world without nuclear weapons, poverty elimination, human rights and the environment," Abe said in a meeting with the pope.

Abe also expressed a wish to expand bilateral cooperation.

The pope replied that he wants to strengthen the Vatican's relationship with Japan further.

This was their first meeting since June 2014, when Abe visited the Vatican. Pope Francis is making the first papal visit to Japan in 38 years.

Abe sought support for efforts to solve the issue of abductions of Japanese nationals by North Korea at an early date. The pope said he stands with Tokyo.

In speeches delivered Sunday in the atomic-bombed Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the pope called for eliminating nuclear weapons.

To the pope, Abe stressed Japan's determination to adhere to its three nonnuclear principles, act as a bridge between nuclear haves and have-nots and strive patiently to realize a world without nuclear weapons.

The pope welcomed Japan's efforts and said that he supports Japan's determination.

Abe thanked the pope for meeting with and gave words of encouragement to victims of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami that mainly hit northeastern Japan.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-X2KaitSIo&feature=youtu.be

JIJI Press