BEIJING, Sept. 30 -- Japan newly elected Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has made his first foreign policy speech before Parliament since winning the job in a landslide vote.
The South Korean government has confirmed that Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit Seoul in mid-October. He is scheduled to meet with South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun.
Abe vowed in his speech to improve relations of trust with China and South Korea, calling them important neighbors.
Abe said, “China and South Korea are important neighbors. Strengthening relationships of trust with the two countries is vital to Asia and to the international society, and I believe it is important to communicate candidly for the future.”
Japan has strained ties with its Asian neighbors largely due to its former prime minister's visits to the Yasukuni Shrine.
Abe has also pledged to make his country a decisive force on the international stage while restoring values of hard work and patriotism at home.
On its alliance with the US, Abe said Japan will strengthen its relations of trust with America.
The 52 year old prime minister took office Tuesday. He pledged to further cooperate with the US in solving the Korean Peninsula nuclear issue within the six party talks framework. Enditem
(Source: CCTV.com)
