Stubborn failure to follow in German footsteps and be seen to accept responsibility for historical misdeeds seriously undermines the foreign policy of these two states and divides their populace. Attempts to limit the damage of the repeated shrine visits are useless. A Japanese court ruled that the visits are unconstitutional. Koizumi should take advantage of them.

Unfortunately, Erdogan has not such opportunity. On the contrary, Turkish courts are prosecuting an author named Pamuk who condemns the Armenian massacre and correctly warns that failure to acknowledge it will cost Turkey membership in the EU.

He is right.