First lady diplomacy: 'soft power' at its finest

Akie Abe: The most controversial first lady

Akie Abe, wife of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, walks through flag-waving children in Tokyo, Oct 31, 2006. [Photo/Icpress]

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Akie Abe is by far the most popular, most sought-after and youngest first lady in Japan.

Before Abe, Japanese First Ladies played the roles as "the great woman behind the successful man." Akie Abe changed all of that. Her good looks, slender physique and sense of style won popularity among young Japanese women. Her popularity in Japan was a boost to Shinzo Abe's support rating, by at least 20 percent. She broke the taboos and appeared in public while holding her husband's hand. She opened her own blog and writes about the more "human" and "tender" side of her husband in office.

What's more, she runs her own bar, and does everything, including waiting tables, cleaning and taking out the garbage. She broke the stereotype of the graceful "first lady" and showed a more realistic side of politicians' wives.

Akie Abe is not just a good wife to Shinzo Abe – she is his "secret weapon."