Japan urges Europe to close debt deal

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TOKYO, Oct 25 (AFP): Japanese Finance Minister Jun Azumi on Tuesday said Europe was close to a resolution of its debt crisis and urged the continent's leaders to close the deal for the sake of the global economy. "The European issue is in its final stage. Focus is on whether (Europe) can construct a scheme that could offer a sense of relief to the world," Azumi told reporters. "We want them to firmly get that done." European Union leaders and IMF chief Christine Lagarde held a first summit on Sunday aimed at overcoming a crisis that has threatened to pitch the world into a fresh recession. They will meet again for the second summit today (Wednesday).