BRUSSELS, Belgium, Jan 12, SPA -- Shinzo Abe became the first Japanese prime minister to visit NATO headquarters on Friday, highlighting a drive to boost ties between the western military alliance and the Asian economic power which is seeking to increase its global clout. NATO wants to build closer military and politicalrelations with democracies in the Asia-Pacific region toboost support for its mission in Afghanistan and widercooperation on regional security issues. Japanese officials traveling with the premier saidconstitutional restraints on Japan meant it was unlikelyAbe would offer combat troops to support NATO's32,000-strong force in Afghanistan. However, NATO is hoping Abe could give greater economic support for Afghanistan or increased civilian backup to its military mission, the Associated Press reported. Abe, who took office in September, is breaking withtradition by visiting Europe before traveling to the U.S. He is seeking support for Japan's bid to secure apermanent, veto-wielding seat on the U.N. Security Council and, at home, is seeking to change the country's postwar pacifist constitution so Japan's defense forces can play a bigger role in international peacekeeping missions.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/417428