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| Angela Merkel (Image: Flickr User - Alexander Kurz) |
By Mina Pollmann
Angela Merkel’s visit to Japan reignited the old comparison of Japan and Germany’s post-war actions.
Last Monday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo. The two sides emphasized their “shared values” and cooperation in dealing with global issues together – such as the crisis in Ukraine and counterterrorism measures against the Islamic State (IS). Abe opened the summit meeting by saying, “Taking this opportunity of Angela’s visit to Japan, I will further develop the bilateral relationship that is contributing to the world’s peace and prosperity.” Abe and Merkel discussed the “severe security environment confronted by the international community including the Asian region” – such as China’s expanding activities in the East China Sea, North Korea’s nuclear development, and the issue of Japanese abductees.
Both Japan and Germany are eager to use the 70th anniversary milestone to highlight their nonmilitary contributions to peace. During her visit, Merkel declared, “This year marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, while 25 years have passed since the end of the Cold War.” “Germany and Japan have both achieved prominent development” since then, Merkel added, and “[t]hey are now in a position to exercise global responsibility within the world order.”
Read the full story at The Diplomat