This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/5405066.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
First China visit for Japan's Abe First China visit for Japan's Abe
(30 minutes later)
Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit China and South Korea next week hoping to rebuild regional ties.Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit China and South Korea next week hoping to rebuild regional ties.
Mr Abe will go to Beijing on 8 October then fly to Seoul a day later, the three countries have confirmed.Mr Abe will go to Beijing on 8 October then fly to Seoul a day later, the three countries have confirmed.
His visit to Beijing will be the first summit meeting between Chinese and Japanese leaders for five years. His visit to Beijing will be the first bilateral summit between Chinese and Japanese leaders for five years.
The leaders of both China and South Korea had refused to meet former PM Junichiro Koizumi, a protest at visits to a controversial Japanese shrine.The leaders of both China and South Korea had refused to meet former PM Junichiro Koizumi, a protest at visits to a controversial Japanese shrine.
The bilateral meetings will take place against the background of North Korea's announcement that it plans to test a nuclear bomb.The bilateral meetings will take place against the background of North Korea's announcement that it plans to test a nuclear bomb.
In a statement, Mr Abe said the North's announcement was "regrettable", and any nuclear test by Pyongyang would "never be forgivable".In a statement, Mr Abe said the North's announcement was "regrettable", and any nuclear test by Pyongyang would "never be forgivable".
Koizumi shunnedKoizumi shunned
The Yasukuni shrine honours Japan's war dead, including 14 World War II war criminals.The Yasukuni shrine honours Japan's war dead, including 14 World War II war criminals.
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 Abe works on the neighbours Japan's controversial shrineYASUKUNI 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 Abe works on the neighbours Japan's controversial shrine
Both China and South Korea say the shrine glorifies Japan's past militarism, particularly during World War II.Both China and South Korea say the shrine glorifies Japan's past militarism, particularly during World War II.
Without referring to the shrine by name, a Chinese government spokesman said the summit would go ahead after overcoming "the political obstacle to bilateral relations".Without referring to the shrine by name, a Chinese government spokesman said the summit would go ahead after overcoming "the political obstacle to bilateral relations".
Mr Koizumi made six visits to the shrine while he was prime minister, despite protests from Japan's regional neighbours.
Since his recent election victory Mr Abe has so far refused to comment on whether he plans to visit the shrine.Since his recent election victory Mr Abe has so far refused to comment on whether he plans to visit the shrine.
But his election has brought the hope of a regional rapprochement.But his election has brought the hope of a regional rapprochement.
Mr Koizumi made six visits to the shrine while he was prime minister, despite protests from Japan's regional neighbours.
The last bilateral summit between Japan and China took place in October 2001, when Mr Koizumi visited Beijing.
The last meeting between the two countries' leaders came in April 2005, on the fringes of an Asia-African summit in Indonesia.