Abe leaves on 6-nation tour of Europe

Maybe Abe could learn from Chancellor Merkel advise on how Germany dealth with sensitivity of their neighbors after the WWII. German Chancellor and their lawmakers do not visit Nazi Cemetary. However, the Japanese government does not interfere with Abe and their 150+ lawmakers visits to Yasukuni every year. It would be meaningless for Japan's neighboring countries to talk about the future when they are paying tribute to such a place.

This is very good.

Hopefully it will be a productive trip for the Japanese economy, and further illuminate China's aggressive actions towards Japan and prompt European responses to condemn it.

Sounds like the average tour the average Japanese person takes when they visit Europe for less than a week! One day Paris, one day Berlin, one day Rome....to eat "nice food" and "go shopping"...!

Couldn't this be done by email or skype? I'd like to know what the total bill for Abe and his cronies' shopping trip will be. Japan is fighting a crippling debt load and daily we see unnecessary government expenditure like whale hunts and trips around Europe for Abe and his hangers-on.

This trip is going to be 9 days. Abe will not be able to eat good sushi for 9 days. Ganbatte!

"Abe’s cabinet approved the plan to replace a 1967 blanket ban, which prohibited arms sales to conflict-plagued countries or nations that could undermine international peace and security."

Wow, congrats, Japan! Now you can make a few bucks by giving weapons to dictators that inflict immense suffering on the people of the regions! What a leader Abe is! Now they can freely sell weapons to the same people that brought about the Algerian gas plant massacre!

So.... what is the objective of Abe's visit to the EU nations?

If Abe wants to be taken seriously, he can't go on these fancy trips with a reactive response to China or TPP. There must be an agenda that clearly states Japan's stance on its economic and foreign affairs relations with these EU nations, individually and collectively.

TPP is a thorny issue with the EU because it takes away the competitiveness from EU. So if Abe's objective is to go and explain himself on this not-yet-agreed issue, then its just pointless.

Self-imposed weapons ban, security logistic talk are not high level enough for the head of a nation to do a 9 days trip. Unless EU has something needy from Japan which doesn't seem to be the case here since its a reactive response without formal invitations.

I don't want to use the word belittling but it just seems like everything Abe is doing belittles Japan as a nation. He puts himself down a notch to try to conduct talks and agreements where his representative in trade negotiations should be doing.

There are some things that a PM just shouldn't do and he should delegate his duties to the responsible parties.

Great, going on vacation at tax payers' expense. LDP is back at it in full storm.

Hopefully it will be a productive trip for the Japanese economy

Todai moto kurashi business treasure is right in front of him but unfortunately Abe has spoiled relations with its neighbors and now wandering for business in debt ridden europe.

it is kind of pointless as well to try and improve trade or security ties with EU countries when your relation with your next door neighbors is rather not that good. good that Germany is also on the list, they probably have a good view of those statues erected in remembrance of victims of the war. i wish them a happy golden week trip.

Sounds more like a golden week holiday

@sfjp330APR. 29, 2014 - 07:36AM JST Maybe Abe could learn from Chancellor Merkel advise on how Germany dealth with sensitivity of their neighbors after the WWII. German Chancellor and their lawmakers do not visit Nazi Cemetary. However, the Japanese government does not interfere with Abe and their 150+ lawmakers visits to Yasukuni every year. It would be meaningless for Japan's neighboring countries to talk about the future when they are paying tribute to such a place.

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Abe went there to push his way. Learning from Germany is not in his mind. He went there to teach his way. Ar least he knows etiquette. He did not use e-mail, etc. He went there.

toshiko: frankly speaking I do not understand your post: "He went there to teach his way"

About what??

@open minded: That comment is toward slip330 comment hinting Germany is superior. About what? security of caus as slip330 thinks Abe learn from Germany.

toshiko: I believe there is an international consensus, especially from the nazi's victims, that Germany handled very well the post WWII. The Europe Union creation started between Germany and France as little as 10 after 1945 is a proof of it.

Hence there is no doubt that Japan has a lot to learn from that! Even 70 years after the end of imperial Japan. Nothing wrong with it, but just the need to accept it and go along with that heritage.

Back on topic please.

Golden week free travel to Europe, how nice!