Russian commentator Masha Lipman of the Carnegie Moscow Centre shares the scepticism of many: "I think the best we can hopefor is that there is some chemistry or some little glimpse of building trust forthefuture, " she told me.
"I want to make this a day when we can renew our sense of hope and determination forthefuture, " the 58-year-old said in front of officials gathered in Tokyo.
Then I will try once again, outside of politics, to serve the common good and to move toward the ideals and solutions which I believe can build a future of hope and opportunity for us and for our children.