Viorel Isticioaia-Budura, the European Union's ambassador to Japan, expressed hope that the government of Shinzo Abe will keep playing an active role in the international arena, but cautioned that new policies should be adopted "with full transparency and in good communication with neighbors."
The key to diplomacy, he said in a recent interview, is the quality required for the Japanese art of bonsai — patience.
Referring to Japan's past activities in Cambodia and Somalia, the former Romanian diplomat said the EU has already seen ways in which Japan has been increasing its contribution at the regional and international levels.