A big, unexpected pitfall awaited Prime Minister Shinzo Abe when he toured the Middle East in January, close on the heels of a victory his Liberal Democratic Party scored in the Lower House election in December.

Just as he was trying to give boost to his favorite theme of promoting "proactive pacifism"or proactive contribution to peace by serving as a bridge between Israel and the Palestinians, the Islamic State, also known as ISIS and ISIL, threatened to kill two Japanese hostages, presenting a serious test for his crisis management ability. Some within the LDP have gone so far as to wonder why he had to make the trip at such a time.

Respect should be accorded to Abe for his willingness to serve as a mediator of good will in the Middle East conflict, and the terrorist acts by the Islamic State must be denounced. His travels to many parts of the world to pursue his global diplomacy may also be praiseworthy.