Since the election of Shinzo Abe as the new Japanese prime minister, by reputation a fervent nationalist, relations between Japan and China have paradoxically improved a little.

I have never been bribed as a Prime Minister.

It's going to make the Japanese nervous. And it's going to put pressure on the Japanese prime minister.

The election of Shinzo Abe as the leader of Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic party and now prime minister will have profound repercussions for Japan and East Asia. Most western commentary during the premiership of Junichiro Koizumi has been concerned with the extent to which Japan has allowed a freer rein to market forces.

Yeah, well I'm not aspiring to be the Prime Minister.

In Japan, usually, once you become prime minister, you do not have a second chance.