For the first time since the end of World War Two, Japan has a defense ministry. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been pushing for the reinstitution of the ministry as well as for requiring the teaching of patriotism in Japan's schools.
Abe, Japan's first premier to be born after the war, made the creation of a defense ministry one of his top priorities. He aims eventually to rewrite the US-imposed 1947 constitution that declared Japan a pacifist country.
"Since the Cold War ended, the national security situation facing Japan has changed dramatically," Abe said at a ceremony to mark the creation of a cabinet-level defense ministry to replace the previous defense agency.
"This is a significant step for us to get out of the post-war regime and lay the foundations for our efforts to build the nation," said Abe, adding that the ministry would now be able to shape defense and security policy.
Abe, a passionate advocate of a more assertive Japan, has faced slipping poll ratings since taking office in September with a vow to build "a beautiful nation" and calls for a hard line against North Korea's nuclear program.
In an interview with the BBC, Abe said other nations had nothing to fear from a more assertive Japan.
"I believe we will be able to gain the understanding as well as the confidence of the world regarding Japan's assertiveness," he said.
Japan's parliament enacted laws in December to create the full-fledged defense ministry and to instill patriotism at schools, breaking two taboos lingering since defeat in World War II.
The bill enjoyed wide support, with the largest opposition party joining the ruling coalition.
In many ways, this is just a symbolic move, important psychologically for Japan, but really not changing a lot – at first, anyway. The Japanese self-defense forces are a pretty strong military and Japan spends a lot on defense already. Global Security points out that Japan spends more than Britain and has a significant and highly sophisticated Navy.
