Japan's New Realism

By: Michael Auslin

Narrated by: Kevin Stillwell

Last September, tens of thousands of opponents of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gathered outside the National Diet building in Tokyo, often in torrential rain, holding placards and shouting antiwar slogans. They were there to protest the imminent passage of legislation designed to allow Japan’s military to mobilize overseas for the first time in 70 years - a shift they feared would undermine Japan’s pacifistic constitution and encourage adventurism. On September 17, Japan’s normally sedate parliament dissolved into scuffles as opposition politicians tried and failed to prevent a vote on the bills, which ultimately passed.


©2016 Foreign Affairs (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Warmongering Article

What would have made Japan's New Realism better?

It would have been better if there was an analysis of the benefits for Japanese and Global Societies for having it written into the constitution that War is not permitted. Japan was a beacon for the future and is now caving way to Eastern and Western Military interests.

What was most disappointing about Michael Auslin’s story?

This article is very heavy handed in it's support of the Military Industrial Complex and gives nothing but positives as Japan postures for Military Adventurism.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The grammar was correct.