Japan should follow the example of Germany and face up to history instead of trying to hide it behind a cloak of ambiguity

Japanese people can be surprisingly vague when stating their opinions. This can be seen either as a practical way to handle difficult topics without offending the other person or a way of avoiding humiliation.

Questioned on his attitude toward Japan's past, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is trying to be ambiguous by employing aimai, literally a doubled-edged approach.