Japan is rearming and rethinking its approach to regional security. Today, Prime Minister Abe declared that Japan’s military should be permitted to come to an ally’s defense.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan has focused his national revival agenda on two main things: defense and the economy. There can be little doubt that he is moving the country away from its pacifist past, with a better organized defense leadership and a stronger military. The impact of “Abenomics,” his economic strategy, is less clear: many analysts and investors have been disappointed; others have celebrated renewed growth or suggested the reforms will make a big impact in the future. Government data released today suggest at least some of Abe’s economic reforms are having a positive effect.