From The Japan Times:
"Visiting Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi met Monday with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and signed a joint statement pledging to boost bilateral cooperation in fields ranging from art to trade to security information exchanges.
During his summit with Prodi, Abe expressed thanks for Italy loaning out "The Annunciation" by Leonardo da Vinci for an exhibition in Tokyo. The work rarely leaves Florence's Uffizi Gallery.
"Representing the Japanese people, I'd like to say thanks for giving us this opportunity," Abe said during a joint news conference with Prodi."