What got into Abe? Why would he do that, then, and in the middle of this contretemps over the islands and the air defense zone? Imagine the position this puts Xi in now: He is a new leader, still has to prove his bona fides. His people are clamoring for a more muscular foreign policy to match their economic strength. He has given them a more (too) muscular f.p. with the unilateral declaration of the air defense zone. Japan is the principal target. China, and everyday Chinese, have continued, legitimate, resentment over Japanese atrocities committed in the Century of Humiliation. Abe just threw Xi a hanging curveball. Xi will respond to this. Idiotic situation. Idiotic action by Abe.