The U.S. Congressional Research Service has noted that comments and actions by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on historical issues "have raised concern that Tokyo could upset regional relations in ways that hurt U.S. interests." In its May 1 report, the research arm of Congress said Abe is known as a "strong nationalist" and that his approach to issues relating to wartime sex slaves, history textbooks and visits to a war-linked shrine in Tokyo "will be closely monitored" not just by China and South Korea but also by the United States.

France wants to boost its relations with Japan all the while maintaining strong ties with China, despite simmering diplomatic tensions between the two Asian giants, France's top diplomat said in an interview published on Saturday. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius told Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun that "Asia occupies, and will occupy, an important place" in French diplomacy.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said Wednesday there is no problem for his Cabinet members to visit the war-linked Yasukuni Shrine, even if there is criticism from China or South Korea. "My ministers will not yield to any kind of intimidation," Abe said during a session of parliament. "It's a matter of course to secure the freedom to express one's respect and worship to precious souls of the war dead."

South Korea's parliament adopted a resolution Monday slamming Japan's "recent moves to glorify its militaristic past," Yonhap News Agency reported. The resolution passed the National Assembly with 238 votes in support from the 239 members at the session, the South Korean news agency said. One member abstained.