I have three theories why Western pundits, inside Japan and out, are so down on Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe:
• Abe is a nationalist — sort of a Japanese Ronald Reagan and nationalism scares a lot of people: What if Abe starts a war with China! And when it comes to Japan, most people still associate nationalism with World War II.
• Abe's "Abenomics" agenda includes a large dose of quantitative easing, which for some reason makes people very uncomfortable.