Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has sparked a nationwide debate after revealing that she sleeps only three hours a day. The comment, shared on social media, quickly drew reactions from supporters, critics, health experts, and workers concerned about Japan's demanding work culture. The discussion has reignited questions about work-life balance, productivity, leadership expectations, and the impact of long working hours in one of the world's most work-intensive societies.

Takaichi claims to function on three hours of sleep, tweet sparks work-life balance debate

Everyone has their own love language, and for the recently-elected Japanese Prime Minister, food might be it.<o:p></o:p>

Fumio Kishida who has just been named as the new Prime Minister of Japan has now gained a new found stardom on the internet through a simple post about one of his favourite traditional dishes.<o:p></o:p>

During an Instagram live, the new PM said he confessed that he loves okonomiyaki that his wife cooks for him. Much to his surprise, when he returned back home his wife had a plate of his favourite dish ready for him.<o:p></o:p>

The new Prime Minister took to Twitter to express his happiness and gratitude over this act of love.

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帰宅すると、妻の裕子がお好み焼きを作ってくれていました。インスタライブで私が、「妻の作ってくれるお好み焼きが大好きです」と言っていたからです。 
 
いつも最高に美味しいけど、今日は、一生忘れられない美味しさでした。ありがとう。 <a href="https://t.co/vsBesywmCG">pic.twitter.com/vsBesywmCG</a>
— 岸田文雄 (@kishida230) <a href="https://twitter.com/kishida230/status/1443227822324027396?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 29, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"When I got home, my wife Yuko made me&nbsp;okonomiyaki, because I had said I love the dish she makes for me on Instagram live,"&nbsp;Kishida tweeted. "It's always super delicious, but today it was so delicious I won't forget it for a lifetime. Thank you."<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake dish that is made up of flour batter, cabbage, meat and can be topped with Japanese mayonnaise, pickled ginger, aonori and several other sauces. <o:p></o:p>

This dish mainly has routes in &nbsp;Hiroshima&nbsp;(Kishida's constituency) or the&nbsp;Kansai region&nbsp;of Japan and is hugely available as a popular dish all over Japan.

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-meet-japans-100th-prime-minister-fumio-kishida-416951">WATCH |</a></o:p>

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Fumio Kishida is the 100th Prime Minister of Japan and will be replacing Yoshihide Suga. After Suga declared he will be giving up on the post and resigning from the office, Kishida won against Taro Kono in a close call.<o:p></o:p>

The new Prime Minister is hoping to be able to produce oral drugs and come up with stricter and more effective ways of beating the deadly coronavirus.<o:p></o:p>

"I want us to move toward and achieve the target of bringing our socio-economic activity back to near normalcy at the start of next year," Kishida had earlier said.<o:p></o:p>

Everyone has their own love language, and for the recently-elected Japanese Prime Minister, food might be it. Fumio Kishida who has just been named as the new Prime Minister of Japan has now gained a new found stardom on the internet through a simple post about one of his favourite traditional dishes.

Everyone has their own love language, and for the recently-elected Japanese Prime Minister, food might be it. Fumio Kishida who has just been named as the new Prime Minister of Japan has now gained a new found stardom on the internet through a simple post about one of his favourite traditional dishes. During an Instagram live, the new PM said he confessed that he loves okonomiyaki that his wife cooks for him. Much to his surprise, when he returned back home his wife had a plate of his favourite dish ready for him. The new Prime Minister took to Twitter to express his happiness and gratitude over this act of love. 帰宅すると、妻の裕子がお好み焼きを作ってくれていました。インスタライブで私が、「妻の作ってくれるお好み焼きが大好きです」と言っていたからです。 いつも最高に美味しいけど、今日は、一生忘れられない美味しさでした。ありがとう。 pic.twitter.com/vsBesywmCG — 岸田文雄 (@kishida230) September 29, 2021 × "When I got home, my wife Yuko made me okonomiyaki, because I had said I love the dish she makes for me on Instagram live," Kishida tweeted. "It's always super delicious, but today it was so delicious I won't forget it for a lifetime. Thank you." Okonomiyaki is a Japanese savoury pancake dish that is made up of flour batter, cabbage, meat and can be topped with Japanese mayonnaise, pickled ginger, aonori and several other sauces. This dish mainly has routes in Hiroshima (Kishida's constituency) or the Kansai region of Japan and is hugely available as a popular dish all over Japan. WATCH | Fumio Kishida is the 100th Prime Minister of Japan and will be replacing Yoshihide Suga. After Suga declared he will be giving up on the post and resigning from the office, Kishida won against Taro Kono in a close call. The new Prime Minister is hoping to be able to produce oral drugs and come up with stricter and more effective ways of beating the deadly coronavirus. "I want us to move toward and achieve the target of bringing our socio-economic activity back to near normalcy at the start of next year," Kishida had earlier said.

'With love': Japan's new PM Kishida Fumio wins over internet with a picture of Japanese pancake

Following the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resignation last week,&nbsp;Former Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida has officially announced that he would run for&nbsp;the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election.

Kishida is seen as one of the favourites of Abe and had earlier, too, expressed his intentions to run for the elections. However, he has not managed to gain attraction from the masses.

Abe's resignation has brought in the announcement of&nbsp;unexpected elections to replace him.&nbsp;Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will now be hosting elections to replace him as its president, followed by a vote in parliament to elect a new Prime Minister for the country.

The party will be voting on September 14 and the candidates are required to register their names on September, and can start campaigning immediately after.&nbsp;An official announcement from the Liberal Democratic Party is expected either later Tuesday or Wednesday, but a decision on a limited vote that will exclude rank-and-file members has already been approved.

The&nbsp;parliamentary vote for prime minister will be held on September 16, according to local reports.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-will-replace-abe-and-when-japan-pms-resignation-sparks-leadership-race-323707">Also read|&nbsp;Who will replace Abe and when: Japan PM's resignation sparks leadership race</a>

Shinzo Abe resigned last week after weeks of speculation and rumours around his ill-health. The former Prime Minister of Japan has been battling&nbsp;the disease of ulcerative colitis for years and his two recent hospital visits within a week had sparked rumours and concerns about his wellbeing.

“I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people. I have decided to step down from my post,” Abe said.

Earlier, last week,&nbsp;loyalist Yoshihide Suga, had&nbsp;emerged as a strong contender to succeed Abe as the prime minister. However, Suga politely declined the opportunity and said he doesn't want the job. Instead, he says, his focus is on uplifting the economy that has been hit due to the novel coronavirus. "We need to consider what we can do to prevent the economy from falling off a cliff," Suga said.

Other than him, former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is also expected to contest the elctions. He has been an Abe-critic for a very long time, and says he aimsto revive Japan's regional economies. Unlike Kishida, Ishiba is favoured by the public, but not by Parliament members.

Many more names such as Taro Aso, Taro Kono, Shinjiro Koizumi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Katsunobu Kato, Seiko Noda have come forward. However, no official announcements have been made on these names.

Following the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resignation last week, Former Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida has officially announced that he would run for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election.

Following the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's resignation last week, Former Japanese foreign minister Fumio Kishida has officially announced that he would run for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election. Kishida is seen as one of the favourites of Abe and had earlier, too, expressed his intentions to run for the elections. However, he has not managed to gain attraction from the masses. Abe's resignation has brought in the announcement of unexpected elections to replace him. Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) will now be hosting elections to replace him as its president, followed by a vote in parliament to elect a new Prime Minister for the country. The party will be voting on September 14 and the candidates are required to register their names on September, and can start campaigning immediately after. An official announcement from the Liberal Democratic Party is expected either later Tuesday or Wednesday, but a decision on a limited vote that will exclude rank-and-file members has already been approved. The parliamentary vote for prime minister will be held on September 16, according to local reports. Also read| Who will replace Abe and when: Japan PM's resignation sparks leadership race Shinzo Abe resigned last week after weeks of speculation and rumours around his ill-health. The former Prime Minister of Japan has been battling the disease of ulcerative colitis for years and his two recent hospital visits within a week had sparked rumours and concerns about his wellbeing. “I cannot be prime minister if I cannot make the best decisions for the people. I have decided to step down from my post,” Abe said. Earlier, last week, loyalist Yoshihide Suga, had emerged as a strong contender to succeed Abe as the prime minister. However, Suga politely declined the opportunity and said he doesn't want the job. Instead, he says, his focus is on uplifting the economy that has been hit due to the novel coronavirus. "We need to consider what we can do to prevent the economy from falling off a cliff," Suga said. Other than him, former Defence Minister Shigeru Ishiba, is also expected to contest the elctions. He has been an Abe-critic for a very long time, and says he aimsto revive Japan's regional economies. Unlike Kishida, Ishiba is favoured by the public, but not by Parliament members. Many more names such as Taro Aso, Taro Kono, Shinjiro Koizumi, Toshimitsu Motegi, Katsunobu Kato, Seiko Noda have come forward. However, no official announcements have been made on these names.

Fumio Kishida announces candidacy to replace Japan's Shinzo Abe

It is not common to see world leaders step down from their post due to health issues. Most of times, the leaders try to hide it for as long as they can. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has broken the unsaid rule and stepped down because of his ill health.&nbsp;

A Prime Minister or a President's health is almost a state secret and any leak spells incompetence, the end of a career, and loss of trust.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/possible-successors-stack-up-as-japanese-prime-minister-shinzo-abe-resigns-323622" hreflang="en">Possible successors stack up as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns</a>

In a movie&nbsp;based on Former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, it was shown that a sick leader is seen as an unfit leader, and a&nbsp;person troubled by health problems loses his or her ability to make the best decisions.

However, world leaders cling to their post even in ill health and&nbsp;choose to prioritise power over people.

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In 2016, the Chief Minister of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu died in office. Jayalalithaa was hospitalised for over two months. Though she handed over her duties to a party leader, there was no talk of officially handing over the baton. She remained the southern&nbsp;state's Chief Minister till her death.

The same year, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir died in office. His illness too was a prolonged one. He was in the ICU&nbsp;for two weeks but he held on to power till his last breath.

A lot of questions were raised about the health of Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was serving as India's 10th Prime Minister. Reports said there were two senior doctors at his door step each morning. The media repeatedly asked whether India's Prime Minister was unwell but&nbsp;there were questions about who would replace Vajpayee.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/japan-pm-abe-resigns-how-the-world-is-reacting-to-the-news-323702">Also read|&nbsp;Japan PM Abe resigns: How the world is reacting to the news</a>

This is not just an Indian problem; leaders across the world have hidden their illness from the public due to the fear of being branded 'unfit'.

American President, John F Kennedy had addison's disease. It was concealed from the public and the President took his drugs secretly. Americans were also not told about Woodrow Wilson's stroke in 1919.

In 1893, Grover Cleveland needed a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his mouth and believe it or not, he did it on a friend's yacht, secretly.

French President François Mitterrand died of prostate cancer in 1996. This was a year after the end of his two terms. His doctors concealed his health condition from the french public.

Even our neighbour, Pakistan, has had similar examples. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had tuberculosis and the people of Pakistan had no clue about it. Seventy two years after his death, there is still no clarity about his health condition. Infact, Pakistan's current Prime Minister Imran Khan recently thought Jinnah had cancer, and well, he was trolled for it.

Leaders hold the lives of people in their hands, and the decisions they make have far-reaching effects. The question that these examples raise is that can leaders make the best decisions for their country and citizens when&nbsp;struggling with ill-health?

The answer can be simply given by one example: Jayalalithaa lead 77 million people and was loved by the locals of the southern state. She handled a state budget worth $27 billion. While the state loved her,&nbsp;did she do justice to her people by clinging on to power even when she was bed ridden?

This is a question for all leaders who put power over people. However,&nbsp;Shinzo Abe is a welcome exception.

It is not common to see world leaders step down from their post due to health issues. Most of times, the leaders try to hide it for as long as they can. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has broken the unsaid rule and stepped down because of his ill health.

It is not common to see world leaders step down from their post due to health issues. Most of times, the leaders try to hide it for as long as they can. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has broken the unsaid rule and stepped down because of his ill health. A Prime Minister or a President's health is almost a state secret and any leak spells incompetence, the end of a career, and loss of trust. Also see| Possible successors stack up as Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe resigns In a movie based on Former British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, it was shown that a sick leader is seen as an unfit leader, and a person troubled by health problems loses his or her ability to make the best decisions. However, world leaders cling to their post even in ill health and choose to prioritise power over people. In 2016, the Chief Minister of the Indian State of Tamil Nadu died in office. Jayalalithaa was hospitalised for over two months. Though she handed over her duties to a party leader, there was no talk of officially handing over the baton. She remained the southern state's Chief Minister till her death. The same year, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, the Chief Minister of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir died in office. His illness too was a prolonged one. He was in the ICU for two weeks but he held on to power till his last breath. A lot of questions were raised about the health of Atal Bihari Vajpayee when he was serving as India's 10th Prime Minister. Reports said there were two senior doctors at his door step each morning. The media repeatedly asked whether India's Prime Minister was unwell but there were questions about who would replace Vajpayee. Also read| Japan PM Abe resigns: How the world is reacting to the news This is not just an Indian problem; leaders across the world have hidden their illness from the public due to the fear of being branded 'unfit'. American President, John F Kennedy had addison's disease. It was concealed from the public and the President took his drugs secretly. Americans were also not told about Woodrow Wilson's stroke in 1919. In 1893, Grover Cleveland needed a surgery to remove a cancerous tumor in his mouth and believe it or not, he did it on a friend's yacht, secretly. French President François Mitterrand died of prostate cancer in 1996. This was a year after the end of his two terms. His doctors concealed his health condition from the french public. Even our neighbour, Pakistan, has had similar examples. Mohammad Ali Jinnah had tuberculosis and the people of Pakistan had no clue about it. Seventy two years after his death, there is still no clarity about his health condition. Infact, Pakistan's current Prime Minister Imran Khan recently thought Jinnah had cancer, and well, he was trolled for it. Leaders hold the lives of people in their hands, and the decisions they make have far-reaching effects. The question that these examples raise is that can leaders make the best decisions for their country and citizens when struggling with ill-health? The answer can be simply given by one example: Jayalalithaa lead 77 million people and was loved by the locals of the southern state. She handled a state budget worth $27 billion. While the state loved her, did she do justice to her people by clinging on to power even when she was bed ridden? This is a question for all leaders who put power over people. However, Shinzo Abe is a welcome exception.

Health or power: What the world leaders can learn from Japanese PM Shinzo Abe

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited hospital twice in the past two weeks, and that has sparked concerns and rumours about his health.

To add to the rumours, three anonymous sources, close to the PM, have revealed that Abe will be consulting a team of doctors once, before facing the media for a conference due to be held on Friday.

The statements have further fueled up rumours surrounding Abe's health, which started when the PM recently visited the hospital for more than seven hours, without revealing the reason behind the visit. Abe, who has earlier struggled with&nbsp;ulcerative colitis, said the visit for a general medical check-up as he simply wants to take care of himself.

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Abe's close aids and his ministers have, at several instances, claimed that the leader has been working very hard during the pandemic and therefore looked very tired. Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura claimed that Abe, now, looked "very well" on Tuesday and "gave us various instructions in the usual manner”.

“We want him to continue to look after his health and show us his leadership,” she continued.

Abe has been at the post of Prime Minister since 2012. This is his second term, as the first term was short-lived in 2007 due to his struggles with ulcerative colitis. However, the Prime Minister has been keeping the health issue under control with the help of doctor-prescribed medication.

Now, two weeks ago, the concerns about his health resurfaced after&nbsp;Abe was spotted entering Tokyo's Keio University Hospital — a visit that lasted more than seven hours.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/speculations-arise-as-shinzo-abe-spotted-in-hospital-for-second-time-in-a-week-322843">Also read:&nbsp;Speculations arise as Shinzo Abe spotted in hospital for second time in a week</a>

At that time,&nbsp;Akira Amari, Chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party`s tax panel, had said that Abe has been suffering from fatigue because of his continuous work for coronavirus relief for Japanese citizens.&nbsp;"I want him to take a break," Amari had told local media. "He has a strong sense of responsibility and feels it's wrong to take a break."

Abe is set to hold a press conference on Friday, and reports suggest he might clear the air about his health. He will be staying silent on the subject till then, local media reported.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited hospital twice in the past two weeks, and that has sparked concerns and rumours about his health. To add to the rumours, three anonymous sources, close to the PM, have revealed that Abe will be consulting a team of doctors once, before facing the media for a conference due to be held on Friday.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has visited hospital twice in the past two weeks, and that has sparked concerns and rumours about his health. To add to the rumours, three anonymous sources, close to the PM, have revealed that Abe will be consulting a team of doctors once, before facing the media for a conference due to be held on Friday. The statements have further fueled up rumours surrounding Abe's health, which started when the PM recently visited the hospital for more than seven hours, without revealing the reason behind the visit. Abe, who has earlier struggled with ulcerative colitis, said the visit for a general medical check-up as he simply wants to take care of himself. × Abe's close aids and his ministers have, at several instances, claimed that the leader has been working very hard during the pandemic and therefore looked very tired. Japanese Economy Minister Yasutoshi Nishimura claimed that Abe, now, looked "very well" on Tuesday and "gave us various instructions in the usual manner”. “We want him to continue to look after his health and show us his leadership,” she continued. Abe has been at the post of Prime Minister since 2012. This is his second term, as the first term was short-lived in 2007 due to his struggles with ulcerative colitis. However, the Prime Minister has been keeping the health issue under control with the help of doctor-prescribed medication. Now, two weeks ago, the concerns about his health resurfaced after Abe was spotted entering Tokyo's Keio University Hospital — a visit that lasted more than seven hours. Also read: Speculations arise as Shinzo Abe spotted in hospital for second time in a week At that time, Akira Amari, Chairman of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party`s tax panel, had said that Abe has been suffering from fatigue because of his continuous work for coronavirus relief for Japanese citizens. "I want him to take a break," Amari had told local media. "He has a strong sense of responsibility and feels it's wrong to take a break." Abe is set to hold a press conference on Friday, and reports suggest he might clear the air about his health. He will be staying silent on the subject till then, local media reported.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe to consult doctors before facing media on Friday

The Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on February 26 called for sports and cultural events to be scrapped or curtailed for two weeks because of coronavirus. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics could also be cancelled.

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Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he is still planning to visit India next week, according to Bloomberg as a Japanese media report said he may consider cancelling the visit amid violent protests in the northeast over the Citizenship (Amendment) Act.

Japan PM's India visit postponed officially due to protests after CAB

Japan PM's  India visit postponed officially due to protests after CAB

Japan PM Shinzo Abe uncertain over visit to India amid Citizenship Act protests

Japan&#39;s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Hawaii on Monday ahead of a symbolic meeting with President Barack Obama at the site of the Pearl Harbor attack.

Tuesday&#39;s visit comes 75 years after Japan&#39;s December 1941 attack on the base of the US Pacific fleet, drawing America into World War II. And it comes seven months after Obama and Abe made a joint visit to the Japanese city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by a US atomic bomb in 1945.

Before leaving Japan, Abe said he was to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial because: &quot;We must not repeat the horror of war ever again.&quot;

&quot;Together with President Obama, I would like to express to the world this pledge for the future and the value of reconciliation,&quot; he told reporters.

On December 7, 1941 a Japanese air armada descended on the Hawaiian naval base without warning, sinking much of the fleet and killing 2,400 people.

Washington had been hesitating about joining a war that had already plunged Europe into chaos, but the Japanese attack forced its hand.&nbsp;

The moving memorial, appearing to float above the rusting remains of the USS Arizona, attracts two million tourists, pilgrims and veterans every year. &nbsp;

The curved-roofed white building was put in place in the 1960s to memorialize what president Franklin Roosevelt dubbed the &quot;day that will live in infamy.&quot;

Inside are engraved the names of crewmen who died in the attack.

Abe is not expected to formally apologize in the name of Japan but, as Obama did at Hiroshima, will celebrate today&#39;s friendship between the former foes.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday (December 26) stopped at several memorials in Hawaii.

Abe made no public remarks and stood in silence before a wreath of flowers at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, a memorial to people who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.

Abe, joined by two of his Cabinet members, bowed his head before wreaths of white flowers and greenery laid at the feet of stone monuments at Makiki Cemetery in Honolulu dedicated to Japanese who settled in Hawaii in the 1800s.

Abe presented a wreath at the armed forces memorial located at Honolulu&#39;s Punchbowl Crater. Known colloquially as the Punchbowl, it is the final resting place for more than 13,000 American veterans of the war in the Pacific. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Abe will also pay tribute to the nine Japanese crew and students who drowned in February 2001 when the fishing vessel Ehime Maru collided with a US sub.

Japan hopes to present a strong alliance with the United States amid concerns about China&#39;s expanding military capability. Japan was monitoring a group of Chinese warships that entered the top half of the South China Sea earlier on Monday.

Japanese leaders hope to send a unity message as well to President-elect Donald Trump, who triggered concerns before his Nov. 8 election by opposing the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and threatening to force allied countries to pay more to host U.S. forces.

(Agencies)

Abe said he would visit the Pearl Harbour memorial because 'We must not repeat the horror of war ever again'

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrived in Hawaii on Monday ahead of a symbolic meeting with President Barack Obama at the site of the Pearl Harbor attack. Tuesday's visit comes 75 years after Japan's December 1941 attack on the base of the US Pacific fleet, drawing America into World War II. And it comes seven months after Obama and Abe made a joint visit to the Japanese city of Hiroshima, which was devastated by a US atomic bomb in 1945. Before leaving Japan, Abe said he was to visit the Pearl Harbor memorial because: "We must not repeat the horror of war ever again." "Together with President Obama, I would like to express to the world this pledge for the future and the value of reconciliation," he told reporters. On December 7, 1941 a Japanese air armada descended on the Hawaiian naval base without warning, sinking much of the fleet and killing 2,400 people. Washington had been hesitating about joining a war that had already plunged Europe into chaos, but the Japanese attack forced its hand. The moving memorial, appearing to float above the rusting remains of the USS Arizona, attracts two million tourists, pilgrims and veterans every year. The curved-roofed white building was put in place in the 1960s to memorialize what president Franklin Roosevelt dubbed the "day that will live in infamy." Inside are engraved the names of crewmen who died in the attack. Abe is not expected to formally apologize in the name of Japan but, as Obama did at Hiroshima, will celebrate today's friendship between the former foes. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Monday (December 26) stopped at several memorials in Hawaii. Abe made no public remarks and stood in silence before a wreath of flowers at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, a memorial to people who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Abe, joined by two of his Cabinet members, bowed his head before wreaths of white flowers and greenery laid at the feet of stone monuments at Makiki Cemetery in Honolulu dedicated to Japanese who settled in Hawaii in the 1800s. Abe presented a wreath at the armed forces memorial located at Honolulu's Punchbowl Crater. Known colloquially as the Punchbowl, it is the final resting place for more than 13,000 American veterans of the war in the Pacific. Abe will also pay tribute to the nine Japanese crew and students who drowned in February 2001 when the fishing vessel Ehime Maru collided with a US sub. Japan hopes to present a strong alliance with the United States amid concerns about China's expanding military capability. Japan was monitoring a group of Chinese warships that entered the top half of the South China Sea earlier on Monday. Japanese leaders hope to send a unity message as well to President-elect Donald Trump, who triggered concerns before his Nov. 8 election by opposing the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact and threatening to force allied countries to pay more to host U.S. forces. (Agencies)

Japanese PM arrives in Pearl Harbour

A day before US President-elect Donald Trump was set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese officials say Trump&#39;s team has not provided any information when or where in New York the meeting will take place.&nbsp;

Abe will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump after the November 8 upset win over Democrate nominee and rival Hillary Clinton.&nbsp;

The US state department has also not been involved in setting up the meeting, which ordinarily organises the details beforehand.&nbsp;

&quot;There has been a lot of confusion,&quot; one Japanese official said. The officials also said they did not to know who&nbsp;to contact regarding the meeting.&nbsp;Abe is currently on his way to the Asia-Pacific summit in Peru.

The disorganisation in Trump&#39;s team is visible with many vying for top posts in his cabinet, contenders being dropped off and criticism over his choice of chief strategist. Trump has denied that the transition is anything but smooth.&nbsp;

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The failing <a href="https://twitter.com/nytimes">@nytimes</a> story is so totally wrong on transition. It is going so smoothly. Also, I have spoken to many foreign leaders.
&mdash; Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) <a href="https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/798861300453539840">November 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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State department spokesman John Kirby said Trump&#39;s transition team was not in touch with the department regarding the transition process or organising meetings with foreign dignitaries.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(WION with inputs from Reuters)

Only a day away, Japanese officials say Trump's team has not provided any information about the meeting's time or location

A day before US President-elect Donald Trump was set to meet Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japanese officials say Trump's team has not provided any information when or where in New York the meeting will take place. Abe will be the first foreign leader to meet Donald Trump after the November 8 upset win over Democrate nominee and rival Hillary Clinton. The US state department has also not been involved in setting up the meeting, which ordinarily organises the details beforehand. "There has been a lot of confusion," one Japanese official said. The officials also said they did not to know who to contact regarding the meeting. Abe is currently on his way to the Asia-Pacific summit in Peru. The disorganisation in Trump's team is visible with many vying for top posts in his cabinet, contenders being dropped off and criticism over his choice of chief strategist. Trump has denied that the transition is anything but smooth. The failing @nytimes story is so totally wrong on transition. It is going so smoothly. Also, I have spoken to many foreign leaders. — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 16, 2016 × State department spokesman John Kirby said Trump's transition team was not in touch with the department regarding the transition process or organising meetings with foreign dignitaries. (WION with inputs from Reuters)

Trump's meeting with Japan PM Abe shrouded in confusion

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to a shrine for war dead on Monday, the anniversary of Japan&#39;s World War Two defeat, but did not visit the shrine seen in China and South Korea as a symbol of Tokyo&#39;s wartime militarism, an aide said. 
 
Visits to Yasukuni Shrine by top Japanese politicians outrage China and South Korea, because it honours 14 Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal, along with war dead. 
 
Abe has not visited in person since December 2013, when he said he did so to show respect for those who died for their country. 
 
Ties between China and Japan, Asia&#39;s two largest economies, have also been strained in recent days as a growing number of Chinese coastguard and other government ships sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. 
 
&quot;This was out of respect to those who gave their lives for the country,&quot; said Yasutoshi Nishimura, an aide to Abe&#39;s Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who presented the offering in Abe&#39;s name as LDP president rather than as prime minister. 
 
Other lawmakers who visited the shrine included deputy chief cabinet secretary Koichi Hagiuda and Shinjiro Koizumi, often tipped as a future prime minister. 
 
New defence minister Tomomi Inada, who has been accused by China of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops massacred civilians in China during World War Two, is visiting troops in Djibouti and would not be able to attend as she usually has. 
 
(Reuters)

Visits to the shrine by Japanese politicians outrage China and South Korea, as they honour Japanese soldiers who committed atrocities

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe sent a ritual offering to a shrine for war dead on Monday, the anniversary of Japan's World War Two defeat, but did not visit the shrine seen in China and South Korea as a symbol of Tokyo's wartime militarism, an aide said. Visits to Yasukuni Shrine by top Japanese politicians outrage China and South Korea, because it honours 14 Japanese leaders convicted as war criminals by an Allied tribunal, along with war dead. Abe has not visited in person since December 2013, when he said he did so to show respect for those who died for their country. Ties between China and Japan, Asia's two largest economies, have also been strained in recent days as a growing number of Chinese coastguard and other government ships sailed near disputed islets in the East China Sea, called the Senkaku in Japan and Diaoyu in China. "This was out of respect to those who gave their lives for the country," said Yasutoshi Nishimura, an aide to Abe's Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), who presented the offering in Abe's name as LDP president rather than as prime minister. Other lawmakers who visited the shrine included deputy chief cabinet secretary Koichi Hagiuda and Shinjiro Koizumi, often tipped as a future prime minister. New defence minister Tomomi Inada, who has been accused by China of recklessly misrepresenting history after she declined to say whether Japanese troops massacred civilians in China during World War Two, is visiting troops in Djibouti and would not be able to attend as she usually has. (Reuters)

Japanese Prime Minister sends ritual offerings to WWII shrine, avoids visit yet again

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki today as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underscored the nation&#39;s nuclear non-proliferation stance, while a city official called for other national leaders to follow in the footsteps of United States (US) President Barack Obama who visited Hiroshima earlier this year. 
 
&quot;As the only country to be bombed by atomic bombs during wartime, I will strongly advocate the importance of maintaining and strengthening the stance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, while maintaining the three non-nuclear principles,&quot; Abe said, as hundreds of visitors at the Nagasaki Peace Park attended the annual peace memorial. 
 
&quot;With a new sense of commitment, I will continue to make the effort to call leaders of nations to visit the atomic bombing sites, and to tell the stories of the reality of the bombings,&quot; said Masanao Maiguma, the head of Nagasaki city municipal assembly. 
 
Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. 
 
The US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. 
 
US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

US dropped the first bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945 and three days later another bomb was dropped on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9

Japan marked the 71st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki today as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe underscored the nation's nuclear non-proliferation stance, while a city official called for other national leaders to follow in the footsteps of United States (US) President Barack Obama who visited Hiroshima earlier this year. "As the only country to be bombed by atomic bombs during wartime, I will strongly advocate the importance of maintaining and strengthening the stance of non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, while maintaining the three non-nuclear principles," Abe said, as hundreds of visitors at the Nagasaki Peace Park attended the annual peace memorial. "With a new sense of commitment, I will continue to make the effort to call leaders of nations to visit the atomic bombing sites, and to tell the stories of the reality of the bombings," said Masanao Maiguma, the head of Nagasaki city municipal assembly. Obama this year became the first incumbent US president to visit Hiroshima and he urged nuclear powers, including his own, to have the courage to escape the logic of fear and pursue a world without nuclear weapons. The US dropped the bomb on Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, killing thousands of people instantly and about 140,000 by the end of that year. US forces dropped another atomic bomb on the southern city of Nagasaki on August 9. Japan surrendered six days later. (Reuters)

Japan marks 71st anniversary of Nagasaki atomic bombing

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Japanese PM arrives in Pearl Harbour

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