December 2013      Smart Q&A   Japan's Assertion of the Right of Collective Self-Defense and Policy Recommendations for South Korea Young-June Park, Korea National Defense University In the light of the rising tensions between Japan and China over territorial disputes in the East China Sea, Young-June Park of the Korea National Defense University discusses the direction of Japan's security policy under Prime Minster Shinzo Abe in this latest installment of the EAI Smart Q&A series. Park analyzes the rationale for Abe's decision to move Japan toward becoming a normal military state capable of exercising the right of collective self-defense and explores the policy changes made under the Abe administration. Finally, Park tackles the U.S. response to Abe's attempts at normalization, categorizing Japan's long-time ally as supportive but wary of provoking China. Preview Smart Q&A [Siegfried S. Hecker] North Korea’s Nuclear Capabilities and Recommendations for Future Six-Party Talks 909 Sampoong B/D, Eulji-ro 158, Jung-gu, Seoul 100-786, Republic of Korea Tel 82 2 2277 1683  |  Fax 82 2 2277 1684/1697  |  Email EAI  |  Unsubscribe Copyright 2013© EAST ASIA INSTITUTE. All Rights Reserved.