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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Japan PM seeks better Asian ties | Japan PM seeks better Asian ties |
| (about 5 hours 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 | 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. |
| 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. |
| JAPAN'S MILITARY Japan's constitution currently renounces the use of forceThis has been stretched to allow self-defence troops1992 law allowed troops to join UN and relief work overseas2003 law said troops could go to non-combat zones in IraqPM Koizumi wants to give Japan even greater powers | |
| 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. |