Many are criticising Abe's visit to the Yasukuni shrine, with China of course being the most archly aggrieved - and this criticism is probably well founded, I guess - not sure, as offensive as the shrine may be in some respects to the 'victors' of WWII, I find myself thinking it's really none of our business telling Japan how to honor its dead - but regardless, let's not forget, as much of the criticism does, that the reason this visit happened is likely as compensation for Obama's lack of resolve viz China's air defense zone - you wanna keep Japan in check and forestall unnecessary provocations, reassure them through strength - otherwise, expect more brinkmanship and sabre rattling, not just from Japan, but South Korea, the Philippines, maybe even Taiwan.
