Japanese front-runner Abe holds tongue on Japan's war deeds
As the three candidates running for Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's job continue to debate the issues, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe has avoided giving clear positions on many of them, particularly Japan's responsibility for the war.
Abe is expected to be elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 20 and be made prime minister several days later. So what he has to say about the war responsibility issue could either put Sino-Japanese ties back on track or damage them further.
Chinese leaders have refused to meet Koizumi because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals along with the war dead.
However, in anticipation of a new administration, behind-the-scene negotiations are already under way to arrange a summit with the new leader and end the diplomatic stalemate between the two countries.
Read entire article at Japan Times
Abe is expected to be elected president of the Liberal Democratic Party on Sept. 20 and be made prime minister several days later. So what he has to say about the war responsibility issue could either put Sino-Japanese ties back on track or damage them further.
Chinese leaders have refused to meet Koizumi because of his repeated visits to Yasukuni Shrine, which honors 14 Class-A war criminals along with the war dead.
However, in anticipation of a new administration, behind-the-scene negotiations are already under way to arrange a summit with the new leader and end the diplomatic stalemate between the two countries.