Japanese Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Toshihiro Nikai on June 15 called on East Asian countries and territories to establish a free trade region to promote further economic development.

Nikai put forward the idea on the opening day of the World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Tokyo.

"It is important to set up systems that would help flows of people, products and money in the region so as to improve the East Asian economy," Nikai said when addressing a session, adding that the regional market can attain further growth by setting up Free Trade Agreements.

He also urged East Asian economies to improve the environment for the exchange of human resources and nurture them to "act as a bridge between regional neighbors."