There are many reasons to admire modern day Japan. There are also more than a few reasons to wish well for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. His efforts to resuscitate its economy with "Abenomics" has not yet hit the target, but the country is more confident today than it has been for too long.
Now Abe has made history with his speech to the special joint session of the U.S. Congress — the first Japanese prime minister to have this honor. He expressed remorse for World War II and touched on issues sensitive to Americans including Pearl Harbor while emphasizing his commitment, going forward, to strengthen the Japan-U.S. alliance. His emphasis on the common values shared by the two countries — "the rule of law, democracy, and freedom" — went down well with most Americans.
But not for some in Asia. While Abe expressed "remorse," China and South Korea have quickly and strongly criticized the refusal to acknowledge and directly apologize for the atrocities committed by the Japanese during WWII.