Forty days have passed since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe took office Sept. 26, and the administration, judging by the actions of the first new prime minister in 5 1/2 years, appears to be off to a very good start.

In his first policy speech to the Diet, Abe pledged to keep up the momentum for reform, based on his belief that Japan's future depends on economic growth.

As for our relations with China and South Korea -- one of the biggest problems in the administration of his predecessor, Junichiro Koizumi -- Abe took a major step in improving ties by holding summits with Chinese and South Korean leaders on Oct. 8 and 9.