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Japan PM seeks better Asian ties Japan PM seeks better Asian ties
(about 1 hour later)
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made clear his determination to repair relations with his Asian neighbours.Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made clear his determination to repair relations with his Asian neighbours.
In his first policy speech since taking office, he said he wanted to strengthen ties with China and South Korea.In his first policy speech since taking office, he said he wanted to strengthen ties with China and South Korea.
Mr Abe told the lower house of parliament that he wanted to emphasise patriotism and hard work at home, with a more assertive presence abroad.Mr Abe told the lower house of parliament that he wanted to emphasise patriotism and hard work at home, with a more assertive presence abroad.
But he ruled out diplomatic relations with North Korea until the issue of Japanese abductions had been resolved.But he ruled out diplomatic relations with North Korea until the issue of Japanese abductions had been resolved.
The time has come for our nation to shift toward more assertive diplomacy based on a new thinking Shinzo Abe Speech fails to clear the fog
Japan's relations with China and South Korea have deteriorated sharply since Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, took office in 2001.Japan's relations with China and South Korea have deteriorated sharply since Mr Abe's predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, took office in 2001.
Both countries were infuriated by his visits to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which honours war criminals alongside Japan's war dead.Both countries were infuriated by his visits to the controversial Yasukuni shrine, which honours war criminals alongside Japan's war dead.
YASUKUNI SHRINE Built in 1869 to honour victims of the Boshin Civil WarNow venerates the souls of 2.5m of Japan's war deadThose enshrined include 14 Class A war criminals Japan's controversial shrine Press gives verdict on Abe
Mr Abe has yet to make clear whether he will continue the visits.Mr Abe has yet to make clear whether he will continue the visits.
'Relations of trust''Relations of trust'
Mr Abe set out a series of political ambitions that reflect his stance as a conservative and nationalistic politician.Mr Abe set out a series of political ambitions that reflect his stance as a conservative and nationalistic politician.
According to the BBC correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Hogg, this was an opportunity to reaffirm his ideology.According to the BBC correspondent in Tokyo, Chris Hogg, this was an opportunity to reaffirm his ideology.
YASUKUNI SHRINE Built in 1869 to honour victims of the Boshin Civil WarNow venerates the souls of 2.5m of Japan's war deadThose enshrined include 14 Class A war criminals Japan's controversial shrine Press gives verdict on Abe
He said he wanted to move quickly towards a revision of the country's pacifist constitution, and called again for reform of the education act to promote patriotism in the classroom.He said he wanted to move quickly towards a revision of the country's pacifist constitution, and called again for reform of the education act to promote patriotism in the classroom.
"The time has come for our nation to shift toward more assertive diplomacy based on a new thinking," he said."The time has come for our nation to shift toward more assertive diplomacy based on a new thinking," he said.
Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.Mr Abe, Japan's first prime minister born after World War II, said a constitution that was "more suitable to a new generation" was needed.
He reiterated his intention to continue with his predecessor's economic reforms, promising to cut government expenditure before raising taxes.He reiterated his intention to continue with his predecessor's economic reforms, promising to cut government expenditure before raising taxes.
He also spoke of the need to pursue what he called "relations of trust" with Japan's neighbours, China and South Korea.He also spoke of the need to pursue what he called "relations of trust" with Japan's neighbours, China and South Korea.
Reports suggest he may visit Seoul for a summit meeting with President Roh Moo-hyun as early as next week, after the two men agreed by telephone to hold discussions soon.Reports suggest he may visit Seoul for a summit meeting with President Roh Moo-hyun as early as next week, after the two men agreed by telephone to hold discussions soon.
Mr Abe also promised to step up co-operation with the United States on mutual security issues, and to continue to co-ordinate with Washington closely on North Korea.Mr Abe also promised to step up co-operation with the United States on mutual security issues, and to continue to co-ordinate with Washington closely on North Korea.
But he said he would not re-establish diplomatic relations with Pyongyang until the unresolved issue of the Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s was resolved.But he said he would not re-establish diplomatic relations with Pyongyang until the unresolved issue of the Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea in the 1970s and 1980s was resolved.