A country's economic success largely depends on peaceful external surroundings, in addition to domestic consensus. China's remarkable rise over the past 30-plus years has proved this.

Abe would find it hard to achieve his economic goals if he continues to tarnish Japan's global image, and if he goes even further, as it seems he intends to, then investors and travelers are likely to pose a big question mark about the Japanese government's sincerity in upholding global peace by shunning the country.

Abe has misused his chance in Davos. Instead of trying to explain away his visit to the shrine, he should first have apologized for the hurt he caused the Chinese and Korean peoples and others in the region. Only by showing he understands the suffering his country's actions caused in the past and his actions are causing today will he be able to win the trust of the world.

When a Japanese colleague was asked if Abe was successfully getting his message cross, the journalist shook his head and said Abe's diplomacy was a failure.

The second day after his speech, a Japanese television anchor mentioned Abe's visit to the controversial shrine was not welcomed by the majority of ordinary Japanese.

It is expected that relations might be improved with the wisdom and increasing exchanges of ordinary people. However, it is clear that despite the willingness of the two peoples to better understand each other, untying the knot of tensions that Abe has tied will not be easy, and he will have to show how it can be undone.

The author is China Daily's chief correspondent in Brussels. fujing@chinadaily.com.cn