It was only a matter of time. Until now, Shinzo Abe, Japan’s prime minister, has managed to control the demons of his inner nationalism. Now Mr Abe – riding high with more than a 70 per cent approval rating – has let the mask slip. Last week he sent an offering of a cypress tree branch to Yasukuni along with several members of his cabinet. Worse, he appeared to question whether Japan had been “aggressive” in the second world war, a rightwing hobby horse. He has also opened a campaign to make it easier to amend the constitution. These actions have provoked a predictable reaction from neighbours. South Korea’s foreign … Continue reading Financial Times