Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's Japan is a forward-looking, pragmatic bastion of stability in an increasingly uncertain world. His Cabinet reshuffle this week cements further the unique position Japanese politics and policy-making occupies relative to most other democratically elected governments.
Abe is in complete control of his destiny, picking and choosing competent and loyal elected lawmakers to further advance his national agenda. Right from the start in December 2012, the goal of Team Abe has been single-minded, echoing the rallying cry that inspired the leaders of the Meiji Restoration: "Fukoku Kyohei" (Strong Country, Strong Army).
Don't get me wrong — this is not about re-armament like it was during the 19th century Meiji Era. I draw attention to the Fukoku Kyohei rallying cry to stress that Abe's team is perfectly focused and capable of using political capital for both a strong economy and constitutional reform. In fact, without the first, the second may never happen.