Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Washington in style, with a state dinner and speech to Congress. He brought plans for a more expansive international role for his country, but the military burden of defending Japan will continue to fall disproportionately on America.

As occupying power, the United States imposed the "peace Constitution" on Tokyo, with its Article 9 banning possession of a military. As the Cold War developed, however, Washington recognized that a rearmed Japan could play an important security role.

However, Japan's governments hid between the amendment to cap military outlays and limit the Self-Defense Forces' role, ensuring American protection. That approach also suited Tokyo's neighbors, including other U.S. allies, most of which had suffered under Imperial Japan's brutal occupation.