By LOH FOON FONG, The Star [25 August 2007]

KUALA LUMPUR: While her husband was busy attending to official duties, Japanese First Lady Akie Abe dedicated her time to matters dear to her: visiting and cheering the underprivileged.

Dressed in a multicoloured striped coat and long skirt, the elegant Akie, who has “near celebrity” status in Japan, was greeted with shouts of “Welcome Madam Akie Abe” by 28 women residents of the Asrama Cahaya Infant Jesus Convent hall in Jalan Bukit Nanas when she arrived at 11am yesterday.