Shinzo Abe, a member of the nationalist party, won a majority of votes in both houses of Japanese parliament Sept. 26, making him the youngest prime minister since World War II, according to the Associated Press.
Abe, 52, supports a close alliance with the U.S. as well as a more active military, the AP reported.
In addition, the AP said Abe pledged to institute economic reform, cut government spending and improve ties with China.
"China is a very important country for Japan, and China's development is a plus also for Japan," Abe told the AP. "I will work to further develop relations between Japan and China"
