Abe to visit Asia, gives up US visit

JAPAN: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe will visit three Southeast Asian countries next week, the government said Thursday, after abandoning a plan to make Washington the first destination of his term.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga said Abe will visit Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia from January 16 to 19, his first foreign tour since taking office late last month.

Abe had earlier said he wanted to make the United States his first destination, stressing the importance of reinvigorating Tokyo's relationship with Washington.

AFP