Stop relying on USA: Japan’s Shinzo Abe faces his aides’ ire
22 Feb 2014 4:38 AM IST
Investors have begun to worry that Abe, who took office in December 2012 pledging to revive the economy, is shifting more attention to his conservative agenda to bolster Japan’s military and recast history with a less apologetic tone.
Japan-US ties hit a bump when Abe visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine on 26 December, further straining relations with China and South Korea, which see the shrine as a symbol of Tokyo’s past militarism because it honors wartime leaders as well as war dead.
The visit prompted a rare statement of ‘disappointment’ from the United States. Diplomats hope an April trip by US President Barack Obama will help ease bilateral strains and affirm the alliance, the linchpin of Tokyo’s security policy.
Taking questions in parliament on Thursday, Abe said Japan had caused great pain in Asia and elsewhere in the past. His government would stick by past apologies and the door was open for dialogue with Beijing and Seoul, he added.
‘As I’ve said before, in the past many nations, especially those in Asia, suffered great damage and pain due to our nation. Our government recognizes this, as have the governments that have gone before, and will continue this stance,’ Abe said.
‘In the post-war era, we have deeply reflected on this and have built a free and democratic nation based on fundamental human rights.
Japan-US ties hit a bump when Abe visited Tokyo’s Yasukuni Shrine on 26 December, further straining relations with China and South Korea, which see the shrine as a symbol of Tokyo’s past militarism because it honors wartime leaders as well as war dead.
The visit prompted a rare statement of ‘disappointment’ from the United States. Diplomats hope an April trip by US President Barack Obama will help ease bilateral strains and affirm the alliance, the linchpin of Tokyo’s security policy.
Taking questions in parliament on Thursday, Abe said Japan had caused great pain in Asia and elsewhere in the past. His government would stick by past apologies and the door was open for dialogue with Beijing and Seoul, he added.
‘As I’ve said before, in the past many nations, especially those in Asia, suffered great damage and pain due to our nation. Our government recognizes this, as have the governments that have gone before, and will continue this stance,’ Abe said.
‘In the post-war era, we have deeply reflected on this and have built a free and democratic nation based on fundamental human rights.
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