Such nationalist sentiments created a vicious circle in Japan this century, prompting many politicians to mollycoddle right-wing forces and further fan nationalist passions. And Abe appears to be an integral part of this circle, for he has often deviated from the Murayama Statement, an apology issued by former prime minister Tomiichi Murayama in 1995 for Japan's wartime atrocities, and former Japanese chief cabinet secretary Yohei Kono's 1993 apology over "comfort women”.

A year ago, the Abe-led Japanese cabinet eased the principles and guidelines on the transfer of defense equipment, and thus allowed "arms exports if they serve the purpose of contributing to international cooperation and its security interests"— an obvious attempt to violate the 1967 "three principles"on arms exports. In 1976, the three principles were extended to impose a total ban on arms exports by Japan.

The new guidelines for US-Japan defense cooperation, to be released at the end of this month, are another cause for worry, because they could give Japan more freedom in matters of defense and expand the scope of their military cooperation globally.

From a regional invader to a prosperous peacekeeper and important contributor to the world economy, Japan has played different roles in international relations.

When Japan adhered to peaceful development, the whole of East Asia benefited. And when it shows signs to deviate from the peaceful track, it wreaked havoc in the region and beyond.

That is precisely why the world should pay close attention to what Abe says in Indonesia and the US while speaking about Japan's wartime past, and more importantly, keep a close eye on what Abe does. Action always speaks louder than words.

The author is an associate professor of modern history studies at Tianjin University.