Publication

This commentary critically discusses the content of the August, 2015 speech made by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe commemorating the 70th anniversary of Japan’s WWII surrender. The author contends that instead of seeking the forgiveness of Japan’s neighbors, Abe recast his war apology largely in the context of current Sino-Japanese relations that shed unfavorable light on China. He also explains that Abe's no-more-apologies caveat in the speech bodes ill for reconciliation between Tokyo and Beijing over events which took place in WWII.