Japan PM seeks `relationship of trust` with next Korean pres.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday said he will seek to establish "a relationship of trust" with Korea’s incoming president Park Geun-hye.

In a news conference on Cabinet measures to boost the economy, Abe made his pledge as part of his efforts to boost ties with countries sharing the same values with Japan.

Experts say his comments were an extension of his “values diplomacy” aimed at seeking alliances with countries with market economies to respond to China’s hegemonic inclinations.

Abe showed a firm stance against Beijing. On the Sino-Japanese territorial dispute over the Senkaku Islands, which are called Diaoyu in China, he said, “There`s no room to negotiate with China. It was wrong for a country responsible to the international community to (allow) damage to Japanese-affiliated companies and Japanese nationals to achieve a political goal.”

Turning to his planned visits to Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia from Wednesday, he said, with China apparently in mind, that he will strive to deepen cooperation with the countries not only in economy but also energy and security. “Promoting ties between Japan and (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) countries will contribute to regional stability,” he said.

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