TOKYO, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- Shinzo Abe, speaking the first time as Japan's prime minister, said his policies would be patriotic at home and aggressive abroad.
Addressing a joint session of parliament, Abe, 52, said his administration would work on issues not addressed when Japan was trying to pull itself out of economic doldrums, the Financial Times of London said Friday. He said he would inject a greater sense of pride and patriotism into education, be more aggressive in diplomatic matters and revise the constitution to better reflect the times.
Abe said he would engage in "future-oriented" discussions with China and South Korea, the Times said.
Regarding the economy, Abe said he favored reducing expenses rather than raising taxes, the Times said.
Abe, the country's first prime minister born after the Second World War, said his administration would work to restore national pride and patriotism, which he said was been suppressed following Japan's defeat in World War II, the Times said.
"The time has come for us to step forward, with quiet pride in our hearts to create a new country," he told parliament.
