When Tokyo pushes further into the region, points of contact and potential conflict with Beijing will multiply and broaden. Those who have their own differences with Beijing may welcome this, but others looking at Asia's overall stability must watch with concern. Even if no military conflict erupts, the underlying risk is that Beijing and Tokyo will seek to pull the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations into different orbits, and this could divide the group.

Competition is already evident in the economic sphere.

Once China became Asia's largest economy, many were looking past Japan, reckoning that its aging demography would see it fall further behind. But the introduction of Abenomics has reminded Asians that Japan can still lend support with aid and trade. Major Japanese corporations are also resurgent investors, offering a strong combination of knowhow, technology and finance.

China has stepped up its game too. President Xi Jinping's big ideas, like the land and maritime Silk Roads, are being backed up with pledges for billions of dollars through the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. Others in Asia would rather not have to choose between China and Japan. But a modus vivendi has yet to be found to accommodate both a rising China and a resurgent Japan. The current "Abenesia" is as such not only a question about the past but about the region's future.

Those who wish Japan well should not only wish for Abenomics to restart its economy. His ambition to increase the country's role abroad must be matched by efforts to increase trust and acceptance by other Asians.

For this, an apology that is accepted by its neighbors is needed and must go beyond what was said for American consumption. If Japan can really say sorry - especially a Japan with a revived confidence and a strong, conservative leader such as Abe - this would help the entire region.

And yes, if it helps, such a bold and much welcome step could be dubbed, "Abpology".

The author is chairman of the Singapore Institute of International Affairs.

(China Daily 05/09/2015 page5)