Japan, Mongolia to sign free trade deal

Japan and Mongolia will sign a free trade deal when their leaders hold talks in Tokyo later Tuesday, reports said, as Japan looks to tap the country's fast-growing economy and huge natural resources. Tokyo is also hoping the deal will deepen ties with Mongolia as it tries to resolve the case of Japanese citizens abducted during the Cold War by North Korean agents, leading dailies the Asahi and Yomiuri reported. Mongolia is one of the few countries that has formal diplomatic relations with Pyongyang. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj are due to hold talks on Tuesday evening, with the trade agreement likely to be announced during the summit, according to the reports, said a news agency.