The day before Abe called on Obama, on February 21, former Japanese prime minister Mori Yoshiro was received by Putin in the Kremlin.

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Public support for Mr Abe's government looks set to continue falling towards the nadir seen by Yoshiro Mori, prime minister in 2000-2001 (and Mr Abe's political godfather).

ECONOMIST: Another blow to Japan's Shinzo Abe as a minister goes

Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori faces a no-confidence vote in the Diet today -- called by his own party.

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