Japan's new PM calls on China to initiate first meeting

Shinzo Abe

Japan's new Prime Minister Shinzo Abe says China needs to take the first step if the two nations' leaders are to meet.

Shinzo Abe says improving relations with neighbouring countries is an important priority for his new government.

Our Tokyo correspondent, Shane McLeod reports, of the ministers in Mr Abe's new cabinet only one, the Foreign Minister Taro Aso, was a member of the outgoing cabinet.

Mr Aso's task will be to try to smooth relations with China.

He is expected to seek a summit meeting between the Chinese leader and the new Japanese prime minister as soon as possible.

Mr Abe says a good relationship is important for both countries but he says Japan is not the country that has cancelled leaders' meetings.

He says it is up to China to take the first step if a meeting is to be held.

PM to take a 30 per cent pay cut

Speaking at his first media conference since being sworn in as prime minister Mr Abe said he supported his predecessor Junichiro Koizumi's economic reforms.

However, Mr Abe says he stands by his position that he can cut back on the ballooning public debt by encouraging growth rather than politically sensitive spending cuts.

As a good example of fiscal belt-tightening, Mr Abe says he is slashing his own salary by 30 per cent and his Cabinet's by 10 per cent.

Mr Abe also reiterated his campaign theme of making Japan a beautiful country.

He says reforming education laws will be a first priority, with moves to make patriotism required teaching in the country's schools.

Mr Abe says he will push for Japan to play a bigger role on the world stage and says countries like India and Australia should be important allies in the region.

Cambodia welcomes new PM

Cambodia has welcomed Japan's new prime minister and expressed hope that Tokyo will continue its generous development aid to the impoverished kingdom.

Japan is Cambodia's largest aid donor.

Cambodia's Information Minister Khieu Kanharith, says Mr Abe's father, a former foreign minister, had been a great friend of Cambodia.

The minister says although Japan has decreased its foreign aid to the rest of the world, for Cambodia there has been no change, and Phnom Penh hopes Mr Abe will continue the policy.

- RADIO AUSTRALIA