16 - Japan’s Defense Reforms under Abe

Summary

The Abe government pursued ambitious national security reforms in response to Japan’s rapidly changing strategic environment. This chapter surveys institutional and defense policy reforms achieved, including further centralization of Japan’s policy decision-making in the executive; significant shifts to defense posture; expanded emphasis on the USA–Japan alliance as the “cornerstone” of territorial security and regional peace and stability; and more extensive security ties with third countries. In keeping with this volume’s unifying theme – whether the Abe government represents a “major turning point” in Japan’s postwar trajectory – this chapter also assesses the practical significance of reforms and identifies the enabling and constraining factors likely to shape any future adjustments.