A robot dressed to look like the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe was part of an exhibit at a recent Shanghai expo. The Abe robot's constant smile and apologetic bow made it one a favorites of many visitors.

Global Times reported that the bowing robot has earned the nickname  "Apologizing Abe" among Chinese online users.

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The Abe robot was just one of the exhibits in the recent China International Robot Show, which was hosted in Shanghai. The expo lasted for four days that lasted from Wednesday, July 8 to Saturday, July 11.

Many Japanese people reportedly find the "apologizing Abe" amusing, but some Japanese netizens have said it is insulting.

Reports indicate that Shanghai Jinghong Robot Company is the maker of the Abe robot. The robot was seen carrying a card that bears the company's name. Shanghai Jinghong's reportedly sells a similar robot only for about 39,000 yuan (roughly $6,300).

Wang Guofeng, a sales representative for the company, initially denied reports that his company had created the robot. He lated admitted that Shanghai Jinghong is responsible for the Abe robot, but said said they do not intend to stir political tensions between China and Japan, but simply wanted to have a popular attraction in the expo.

According to Wang, a number of the expo participants were Japanese, yet none approached the stand to object to the exhibit.

There are political tensions between China and Japan with regards to how the latter views its actions during the Second World War. Shinzo has acknowledged the various atrocities committed by Japanese troops against the Chinese at that time and has conveyed his "deep remorse". China, however, would like the Japanese prime minister to go one step further and make a formal apology, according to Shanghaiist.

Shinzo's numerous trip to a Japanese war shrine is said to be a constant source of irritation among China's leaders.

ECNS reported that Shinzo's refusal to make a formal apology has been exacerbated by the fact China is celebrating the 70^th anniversary of its victory against Japan during World War II. An ongoing territorial dispute has also made diplomatic relation between the two countries grow cold.

TagsApologizing abe, Japan-China relations, World War II, China international robot show, Shinzo Abe Robot, Shinzo Abe Yasukuni Shrine