Japan's Abe follows heart in North Korea abductions, but must stay in tune with U.S.

Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe speaks during a news conference at his official residence in Tokyo March 20, 2014, after Japan's parliament enacted a budget for fiscal 2014. REUTERS/Yuya Shino

TOKYO (Reuters) - Shinzo Abe's tough stance over Japanese citizens kidnapped by North Korea decades ago helped catapult him to a first, brief stint as Japan's prime minister.

Back in office for well over a year, Abe is now pushing for answers in an issue that has dominated his career, but must ensure he does not fall out of step with Japan's biggest ally, the United States.