What He Didn’t Say

The Prime Minister of Japan did not refer to the responsibility of the country in the World War II in his speech at the National Memorial Ceremony for the War Victims on Thursday. It was the first time for PM not to mention that point since former Premier, Morihiro Hosokawa, in 1993. This would be regarded as his trivial compensation for not visiting Yasukuni Shrine on August 15^th, appeasing his right wing supporters with avoiding regret to past history. Isn’t it too nearsighted to deal with already complicated relations with neighbor nations?

In his speech, PM Shinzo Abe tried to stress Japan’s effort for the future. “We are going to face history in humble manner, memorize lessons to learn, and open up our hopeful future,” told him. “We are making our best in contributing permanent peace in the world and in building days of comfortable life for all people as much as possible.”

Former PMs, Hosokawa and his followers, has been at least touched the historical fact of Japan’s regret. “In the last war, we posed a great pain on countries, especially Asian nations,” told Yoshihiko Noda last year, for example. This time, Abe rejected to express “regret” to Asian countries, based on the notion that the ceremony would be held for praying for war victims. He as usual ignored world eyes watching what Japanese PM would be saying, or not saying

Abe privately donated money for rituals in Yasukuni Shrine, leaving question on his violation of the Constitution that prohibits the government to exercise activity of religion. Regardless the criticisms to the attitude of the Abe Cabinet, three Ministers visited Yasukuni on Thursday, inviting skepticisms against their approval on war of invasion. Around hundred legislators including members of Liberal Democratic, Democratic, Restoration and Your Party also visited the shrine.

In China, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Liu Zhenmin, called Japan’s Ambassador to China, Masato Kidera, and protested the attitude of Abe Cabinet. Asahi Shimbun reported the disappointment of an officer of Foreign Ministry against the change in PM’s speech in the ceremony. The President of South Korea, Park Geunhye, urged Japanese political leaders to show boldness to ease the wounds of past.

Since Abe’s diplomacy is heavily leaning on his own idealism, he often strays far from the sidewalk of national interest. If he realizes his political asset is significantly based on his economic policy, it is not smart for him to invite further complication in relationships with economic emerging powers in Asia.