Abe's 'common values' diplomacy aims at sidestepping his denial of Japan's historical atrocities to re-embrace militarism

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pursuing his country's diplomacy in a more active and aggressive way since returning to power, showing special preference for the so-called common values of freedom, democracy and human rights. It seems that without such common points, other countries won't even consider developing normal state-to-state relations with Japan.

This is no different to the "value diplomacy" pursued by Abe during his first tenure in office more than six years ago. Scrutinizing the essence of this so-called value-based diplomacy can provide much food for thought, as the Abe cabinet is displaying a "schizoid personality" on these values.