In a significant development, Japan’s Prime Minister Naoto Kan has called for the launch of free-trade talks with the European Union. He made this appeal during his address at the meeting of the World Economic Forum. His speech primarily focused on two themes — the opening up of Japan and the importance of reinforcing social bonds.1

In another development, Japan has decided to extend the Self-Defense Forces mission taking part in U.N. peacekeeping operations in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights for another six months-- till September 30, 2011. 2

On the domestic front, Prime Minster Kan has said that he has "absolutely" no plans to dissolve the House of Representatives for a snap election. Kan stated during the lower house plenary session, "To enact the fiscal 2011 budget as soon as possible is our top priority and I will put my full efforts into this." He added, "At the moment, I absolutely have no plans to dissolve (the lower house for a snap election)."3

• 1. “Kan at Davos calls for FTA with EU, opening up of Japan to free trade” Japan Times, January 30, 2011 at http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nb20110130a1.html
• 2. “Japan extends SDF peacekeeping mission in Golan Heights for half year+” Associated Press, January 27, 2011 at http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9L11C402&show_article=1
• 3. “Kan has no plans to dissolve lower house for snap election+” Associated Press, January 26, 2011 at http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D9KVRHNO0&show_article=1