TOKYO: The future of Japan’s ‘assertive diplomacy’ hangs in the balance after Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s abrupt resignation, but analysts said a major shift in foreign policy appeared unlikely.

Japan’s key ally, the United States, as well as regional rivals such as China are watching closely as the race to replace Abe gets under way.

Abe surprised the nation on Wednesday by announcing his resignation just three days after he wound up a series of talks with his Asia-Pacific leaders in Sydney and only two days after vowing to stay on.

“Prime Minister Abe’s sudden resignation is likely to reduce international trust in Japan,” said Tetsuro Kato, professor of politics at Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo.

“The United States and other countries are simply puzzled with the current situation in Japan, regarding the confusion and lack of leadership in Japanese politics,” Kato said.

Abe, a 52-year-old outspoken conservative and Japan’s first premier born after World War II, took office nearly a year ago with a popular, youthful image.

He had a bold vision of ‘assertive diplomacy’ aiming to rewrite the pacifist constitution and play a greater role on the world stage, including in overseas military operations.

He pursued a tough line on North Korea and created the country’s first full-fledged defence ministry since WW II.

In Sydney, Abe pledged to US President George W. Bush that Japan would continue providing support for US-led forces in Afghanistan as Washington warned that pulling out would hurt ties between the close allies.

Despite Abe’s resignation, “Japan’s top priority remains the same – to continue the Afghan mission in the Indian Ocean,” said Takehiko Yamamoto, professor of international politics at Waseda University in Tokyo.

But prospects for the mission remain unclear as Ichiro Ozawa, president of the largest opposition Democratic Party, reiterated his party’s intention of blocking the mission despite Abe’s resignation.—AFP