The Japanese military is emerging from decades of pacifism. But do the country's political leaders have the vision and the will to make the country strong again?

Tokyo is expected to announce Friday that it will buy America's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF), the clearest statement yet that Japan will not be left behind in Asia's arms race.

The United States' most important Asian ally--Japan--proved a difficult relationship to manage during Robert Gates' tenure. While not resolving many outstanding issues in US-Japan relations, Gates did manage to keep ties on track and focused on constructive engagement.

"Steady as she goes" seems to be the mantra of the Noda administration in Japan after the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il.

The country needs a radical reformer more than ever, but the chances of one emerging are mixed. It is the same faces that are struggling for power, while the public loses confidence in any of Japan's elected officials.

The heroic and indispensable actions of Self-Defense Forces (Japan's military) in the wake of the March 11 earthquake may have changed Japan's relations with its military forever.

In Japan, the time is right for political regeneration; a new political organization could help Japan build a stable, two-party democratic system.