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?

The next prime minister of Japan has a host of responsibilities to deal with and must hit the ground running because neither Japan nor the world can afford a fifth failed leader in a row.

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.

Political scandals surrounding the Democratic Party of Japan [DPJ], and its inability to deliver on campaign promises, could bring an abrupt end to the new era of hope and change the DPJ promised to bring about.

Noda's most important challenge will be an apathetic citizenry that has lost faith in its leaders and whose demand for competent leadership from the DPJ has been dashed by the failure of former prime ministers Kan and Yukio Hatoyama.

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.

This churn in Tokyo makes it almost impossible for U.S. and Japanese leaders to forge a stable working relationship. It is becoming a strain on ties between the two Pacific allies, and is one reason Japan has slipped off the radar in Washington. Yet the two partners need each other more than ever, given the common challenges they face, from economic stagnation to continued instability in East Asia.

Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama's credibility in Washington is shot, and he has only himself to blame.