Shinzo Abe reiterated his vow to put Japan’s unresolved World War II diplomatic challenges at rest; placing emphasis on ensuring the return of citizens abducted by North Korean agents and the signing of a peace treaty with Russia.
In his speech at Diet, Abe recycled the slogan “summing up Japan’s post war diplomacy” which he repeatedly said in his campaign in the run-up to the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership election last month. His electoral victory made it possible for him to serve three more years as Japan’s head of state.
Abe also addressed criticism from opposing parties as well as the public over suggestions of arrogance on his part. This is believed to be the result of having led the country for over five years.
Overall, Abe repeated the speech from the campaign period he made during the election. However, he failed to elaborate how he would go about putting them into action.
Abe said that he is determined to make the most of the most opportune time to achieve the repatriation of Japanese abductees. He says that he is the one who has to confront Kim Jong Un next in lieu of the summit between Kim and Trump.
The failure to produce a Japanese-Russian peace treaty 73 years after the end of the war is abnormal. Abe swore to end the de facto war with Russia over the ownership of islands near Hokkaido claimed by both countries so the two can finally sign peace.
Abe was caught off guard last month when Vladimir Putin suggested an economic forum in Vladivostok that the two countries could finally end the war by the end of this year.
Abe later explained to Putin that Japan maintains the territorial dispute must be resolved in order for the two nations to sign a treaty. The Kremlin understood Japan’s stance.
Reference: Abe underscores push to clean up Japan’s postwar diplomatic rows in opening speech to Diet
