Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told an audience of German businesspeople that small and midsize firms are at the heart of his Abenomics program.

Abe spoke in Berlin on the first leg of a week-long visit to Europe.

Abe said the economy depends on the health of small and midsize businesses.

He said they were key to his Abenomics growth strategy.

Abe said the high technical skills of small and midsize companies were something Japan and Germany have in common.

Abe also said by 2020, he wants to see one-third of high-ranking positions in Japan held by women.