Tokyo – Japan’s ruling party on Wednesday chose Shinzo Abe, an ardent conservative who’s unapologetic about Japan’s wartime past, as its new leader, ensuring that he’ll succeed retiring Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi next week.
Abe (pronounced AH-bay) trounced two opponents in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s internal election and will begin governing on Tuesday.
Abe, who turns 52 today, pledged to “take hold of the torch of reform” lit by Koizumi, his mentor, whose term is ending. During 5 1/2 years in office, Koizumi pulled the world’s second-largest economy from deep malaise, shook off Japan’s timidity in the global arena and deepened a security alliance with the United States.
Abe is known for his nationalism. On Wednesday, he promised to revamp the educational system based on patriotic values.
Abe hasn’t yet spelled out a full vision, and analysts say he may face difficulties in repairing frayed relations with key trading partners China and South Korea because of his refusal to cast judgment on Japan’s wartime behavior.
China and South Korea criticize Japan for atrocities committed during colonization and World War II, saying past apologies have been inadequate.
