North Korea's launch Sunday of what it says was a satellite may increase public support for Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's more robust security policy and promote public debate about his calls for amending the Constitution, according to some experts.
Abe is expected to use what Japan and other countries see as a banned ballistic missile test, as well as Pyongyang's fourth nuclear test last month, to promote his diplomatic and domestic agenda in the run-up to the Upper House election this summer, they say.
"Prime Minister Abe can show his firm stance against North Korea and act as a strong leader, especially when he hosts a Group of Seven summit and leads his ruling coalition into the election," said Park Jung Jin, an associate professor of international relations at Tsuda College in Tokyo.