Japan PM's ratings grow with China's visit
17 April 2007
Support for Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has topped 50% for the first time this year after a landmark visit by China's premier, a survey showed. Prime Minister Wen Jiabao last week became the first Chinese leader to visit Japan in seven years, striking a conciliatory tone on history issues that have long impeded relations between the Asian powers, the South China Morning Post reported. The poll boost from Mr Wen marks an ironic twist for Mr Abe, who throughout his career has been seen as a hardliner in relations with Japan's Asian neighbors. Abe's approval rate jumped to 50.4% from 43.2% in March, according to the survey by the Nippon Television Network Corp. It was the first time in four months that Abe's support has topped 50%.