Abe's Washington trip is a test of his attitude toward history

JAPANESE PRIME MINISTER SHINZO ABE STARTED HIS OFFICIAL VISIT to the United States on Sunday. During his trip he is due to deliver a speech in the US Congress. The world is waiting to hear what he has to say about Japan's aggression before and during World War II, especially as he recently said he wouldn't repeat wordings like "apology" and "aggression" in his address planned for the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII. Comments:

(We) fervently hope Prime Minister Abe will take advantage of this auspicious milestone during his visit to Washington to enhance Japan's relationships with its neighbors through a vision of long overdue healing and reconciliation which will contribute to future-oriented cooperation.

25 US lawmakers, headed by Mike Honda, in a co-signed letter to the Japanese Ambassador to the US, Kenichiro Sasae, April 23