The Japanese PM hailed a cooperation memorandum to be signed between the Slovenian SPIRIT agency and the Japan External Trade Organization as part of Pahor's visit, a press release from Pahor's office reads.

Abe in particular highlighted enhanced cooperation in science and technology, announcing intensive bilateral cooperation in this field.

Pahor and Abe also discussed the situation in East Asia and exchanged views on cooperation between the EU and Japan.

Pahor noted that the nations should also foster their good political ties along with the enhanced economic cooperation. He invited Abe to visit Slovenia, possibly for the Bled Strategic Forum.

Pahor also met a delegation of Slovenian businessmen, along with foreign ministry and economy ministry officials. Over working dinner they discussed ways to boost Slovenian companies' business in Japan.

The president, who is accompanied by a large business delegation on a three-day working visit to Japan, will meet Emperor Akihito on Thursday.

He will also attend a conference on bilateral technological cooperation organised by Japan's New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization, and get acquainted with Hitachi's efforts on smart cities.

He is also due to meet the parliamentary group of friendship with Slovenia.