JAPAN'S END OF PRIME MIISTER ABE'S ERA-REFLECTIONS

Japan's longest serving PM Shinzo Abe's resignation on health grounds last week marks the end of an eventful era in terms of game-changing policy initiations pertaining to Japan's national security postures and diplomatic overdrive to add substance to expanding Japan's diplomatic profile befitting a Major Power in Indo Pacific Region.

PM Abe is placed by me in the mould of past Japanese Prime Ministers like Nakasone and Koizumi who similarly played a significant role in beefing up Japan's military capacities and capabilities besides adding value to more than half a century old US-Japan Mutual Security Treaty.

In my estimation Japanese Prime Ministers Nakasone, Koizumi and Shinzo Abe were cast in the true Samurai mould ----determined warriors sensitive to Japan's National Honour and Sovereignty against all threats.

There was nothing apologetic about these three-named Japanese Prime Ministers in enhancing Japan's military and security profiles against evolving threats in Indo Pacific mainly emerging from China. This in the face of binding restrictions of Japan's Peace Constitution.

In the second decade of the 21st Century as the China Threat assumed alarming contours directly threatening  Japan's national security both in East China Sea over Japan's Senkaku Islands illegally claimed by China and China's military  expansionism in the South China Sea threatening Japan's economic and energy lifelines, PM Abe hyperactively but in muted style quietly enhanced the military capability of Japanese Armed Forces to deter China from both political and military coercion of Japan

To supplement the above,PM Abe strengthened further Japan's security ties with the United States and as evidence of his quiet but effective diplomatic skills PM Abe forged a strong personal relationship with US President Trump.

In India PM Abe will be long remembered for upgrading the Japan- India relationship along with Indian PM Narendra Modi to a Global Special Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The personal chemistry between PM Abe of Japan and Indian PM Modi has put into place a vibrant security-oriented Japan-India relationship with shared and convergent strategic views on Indo Pacific security threats and global threats.

PM Abe also was in the process of effective consultations with Russian President Putin to smoothen the legacy irritants that have impeded strong political relations between Japan and Russia.

Inn effect, the vibrant Japan-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership was a notice to China that it had to contend now not only with Japan and India as single-nation entities but as an Indo Pacific or Asian Coalition of Asia's two Major Emerged Powers with shred strategic convergences on the China Threat.

PM Abe leaves behind a strong and enduring legacy for his successor PM Suga in terms of Japan's enhanced diplomatic and military profiles and policies to build upon and provide continuity to Japan's national sensitivities on its National Honour and Sovereignty.