Tokyo (ANTARA News/Kyodo-0ANA) - Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is considering visiting Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam late next week on his first overseas trip since reclaiming the premiership last month instead of visiting the United States, government sources said Wednesday.

Abe apparently aims to further enhance Japan`s relations with Southeast Asian nations in the face of strained ties with China mainly over a territorial row.

The premier had initially planned to visit the United States on his first overseas trip around Jan. 21, when President Barack Obama is to be inaugurated for his second term, but the trip will be delayed until February because of a tight schedule on the U.S. side.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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