“In his New Year Statement, Japanese Emperor called on the Japanese people to take this year as an opportunity to study and learn from the history of the war, starting with the Manchurian Incident of 1931…

Asked whether Abe will be present at China’s ceremony to mark the anniversary of the end of the war, Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga beat around the bush by talking of looking to the future and showing willingness to tackle common challenges. Abe will miss a chance for Japan’s reconciliation with other Asian nations if he shuns the ceremonies at the Lugou Bridge.“