Philadelphia - Japan's Prime Minister Abe deserves some credit for refusing to visit the right-wing, feverishly nationalistic WWII Yasukuni Shrine during Autumn Festival. It's encouraging to watch this uber-conservative hawk rise above the base instincts of his political base to a leadership stature that eluded him during his disastrous first term.
Message to House Republicans: Here's an ideologue who's learned to put country ahead of narrow, petty politics. He's not doing so out of altruism, of course, but rather because he knows what works. Relations with China and South Korea are too important, and the success of Abenomics too real, to return to childish pandering.
Message to House Republicans: Here's an ideologue who's learned to put country ahead of narrow, petty politics. He's not doing so out of altruism, of course, but rather because he knows what works. Relations with China and South Korea are too important, and the success of Abenomics too real, to return to childish pandering.
Let's not kid ourselves. Abe is no statesman. He is cunning enough to move past the angry, hate-filled interests of a narrow-minded cabal, however, and Japan is far better off for it.
Twitter @jessicamcwade