Japan's new leader faces immediate critical tests

The Liberal Democratic Party of Japan won the Japanese House of Representatives election, making Shinzo Abe the country's new prime minister.

Abe has an awful mess in front of him. It is clear how this mess came about. The new leader should draw lessons from his predecessors. A harmonious and peaceful coexistence with Japan's neighbors can have a positive influence on Japan's domestic politics and economy, and vice versa, according to People's Daily.

Facing history honestly and having a strong sense of responsibility are what Japanese diplomats lack most so far in dealing with its ties with its neighbors.

There are three serious problems facing the new leader. First, will he visit the Yasukuni Shrine to worship the war criminals of Japan from World War II? Visiting this shrine or not is the easiest way to tell the world whether Abe has a different view of history from his predecessors and really starts reflecting on Japanese militarism's crimes during the war.

Second, how does he solve the row over the Diaoyu Islands with China as well as the other territorial disputes with other neighboring countries? If Abe continues to be blinded to the right-wing activists' abduction of domestic politics with their performance on these disputes, he will put himself in a bind and complicate the situation further.

The third problem is the proposed amendment to Japan's pacifist constitution. Some Japanese politicians are actively trying to free Japan from the constitution, which is regarded as the product of an anti-fascist world war, and a foundation for Japan's peaceful existence in the region as well as a foundation for regional stability. If Abe follows these politicians and pushes the envelope, he will invite more trouble to his country.

These are all major issues of principle. There are no ambiguous solutions to these issues. China-Japan relations are in a critical period. It is hoped that Shinzo Abe can reconstruct a consensus on the Diaoyu Islands situation with his Chinese counterparts through diplomatic dialogue and negotiations and look at the bigger picture of bilateral cooperation.