The reason is obvious. Abe has focused on education (especially changing the contents of textbooks) and security. This also explains his tireless effort to restore the pride of the Japanese people and rebuild Japan into a military force. Some of his recent moves, including reclaiming the right of collective self-defense for Japan and re-investigation into the 1993 Kono Statement, apology rendered by former Japanese chief cabinet secretary Yohei Kono for the country's use of "comfort women" during World War II, are apt examples of his efforts to rewrite Japan's wartime history.

To achieve these goals, Abe has to "amend" (or revise) Japan's pacifist Constitution. But his moves to do so seem to have backfired on the diplomatic front because of the strong opposition from neighboring countries, especially China and the Republic of Korea.

Moreover, economic and strategic pressures have pushed the Abe administration to seek help from Japan's East Asian neighbors. With the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership and Abe's economic policies failing to revive the economy, Japan has to fall back on the flourishing market in its neighborhood despite the country's close economic and strategic ties with the United States and Europe.

Of course, strategic concerns underlie Abe's controversial diplomacy. The US-Japan defense cooperation guidelines, revised earlier this month, could be seen as Washington's attempt to encourage Tokyo in its military designs.

But given China's rise both in strategic importance and military power, Japan seems to have become less attractive to the US as a strategic partner in the Asia-Pacific. Instead, Japan has to seek help from its neighbors such as China, Russia, and the ROK to address its security concerns.

Abe is also desperate to divert public attention from the political scandals that have rocked his government, including the one involving trade and industry minister, Yuko Obuchi, who had to resign on Oct 27 amid allegations that her support groups misused political funds.

Japan's ties with countries that suffered Japanese invasion and wartime atrocities will not return to normal unless it owns up to its past crimes. Similarly, Japan's relations with China will not improve until Japan admits there is a dispute on the Diaoyu Islands. As for China, it would welcome an open dialogue with the Japanese guests at the APEC meeting, but only if they are sincere in dealing with the historical as well as current issues.

The author is a researcher in Japan studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.