Japan's Defense Policy: Abe the Evolutionary.

The article focuses on significant changes to Japan's defense policies under the administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is behind the initiative for the country's return as a "first-tier" power and the vision for a U.S. - Japan "Alliance of Hope." Topics discussed include efforts to reform the geographical and substantive scope of Japan's Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) before the Abe administration, changes made in the country's security policy since Abe's return in 2012 including the National Security Strategy and an updated National Defense Program Guidelines and the truth behind concerns over Japan's return to militarism and threat to regional peace and stability under Abe's leadership.