Abu Dhabi, April 30th, 2007 (WAM)--Japan's Prime Minister ShinzoAbe, who is on an official visit to the UAE, Monday toured the JapaneseSchool and Nursery in Abu Dhabi.

He was accompanied by Sheikha Lubna Bint Khalid Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy, Saeed Al Nouwais, UAE ambassador to Tokyo and Takuma Hatano, Japanese ambassador to the UAE.

Speaking to the students, Mr. Abe underlined the importance of education and knowledge in bringing cultures closer together. Hetold them that the UAE had drawn global attention insofar as it had become a distinct cultural hub.

The Japanese Prime Minister arrived here Sunday for an official visit to the United Arab Emirates. Later in the day he held talks withPresident H.H. Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, which focusedon ways to bolster bilateral ties.