Japan’s next prime minister is expected to follow Shinzo Abe’s path in tightening Tokyo’s military ties with the United States and expanding the nation’s definition of “self-defense” to counter China’s and North Korea’s threats, four Indo-Pacific security experts said Tuesday. Michael Green, Japan chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said in an online forum “all [of the likely candidates to succeed Abe] are articulating the same policies. Continuity is likely.” But the danger, the panel agreed, is that Tokyo could again be entering years of political turmoil, with a constant turnover in the prime minister’s office, as … Continue reading Panel: Japan’s Next Prime Minister Will Continue to Grow Self-Defense Force, Military Ties with U.S.