Abe can usher in new era of Asian ties with message of reconciliation

Tokyo

IT may be something of an exaggeration to say that the eyes and ears of the world will be trained on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Friday, when he delivers a statement marking the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. It is certainly true, however, that the gaze of Asian leaders will be riveted on him.

Some might see his position as being invidious to say the least. He needs to somehow convince China and South Korea especially - but also South-east Asia - that he fully upholds the remorse expressed by his predecessors for Japan's past military actions; but he also needs to placate domestic revisionist lobbies.