How Shinzo Abe mended Japan's relations with China

LESS than two weeks after becoming prime minister on Sept 26, 2006, Shinzo Abe was on a plane bound for Beijing, breaking the tradition of Japanese leaders visiting Washington on their first overseas trip.

The reason: To mend relations that had badly deteriorated during the five-year tenure of his predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi, who was detested by China for his annual visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, where Japan's war-dead, including those classified as Class A war criminals, were honoured.

China welcomed Mr Abe with open arms. The Japanese leader met with the country's then-top three leaders - president Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo and premier Wen Jiabao.