Japan's New Defense Role: the politics and strategy of Collective Self Defense

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Japan has embarked on a historically important shift in its defense policy, taking on a more active regional security role and re-interpreting the Japanese constitution to allow for the country to participate in acts that are no longer strictly defined as defense of Japan's own territory. What do these changes mean for Japan's relations with its neighbors? For the alliance with the United States? Are these changes truly within the bounds of the Japanese constitution? And what are the politics of the debate within Japan over this historic change in defense and security policy?

Panelist:
Ryo Sahashi - Visiting Associate Professor, Shorenstein APARC at Stanford University and Associate Professor of International Politics, Faculty of Law at Kanagawa University

Daniel C. Sneider - Associate Director for Research, Shorenstein APARC at Stanford University

Moderator:
Takeo Hoshi - Henri H. and Tomoye Takahashi Senior Fellow in Japanese Studies at FSI; Professor, by courtesy, of Finance, Graduate School of Business and Director, Japan Studies Program, Shorenstein APARC at Stanford University