COMMANDER SALAMANDER: Japan Steps Out from History’s Shadow.

As I said almost a half-decade ago, say hello to the return of the Japanese flattop;

The ruling party endorsed Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s call to remove a 1 percent psychological cap on defense spending against gross domestic product that has been in place since the 1970s.

In line with the more ambitious spending policy, Abe’s Liberal Democratic Party on May 25 also gave its blessing to refit the helicopter carrier Izumo into a full-fledged aircraft carrier.

All smart-thinking navalists should welcome this move by Japan. Though their own distinct culture, the Japanese are firmly in the Western camp and are a good and just people. WWII notwithstanding, they have never been a natural enemy of the United States.

As China rises, a strong Japan will with each year be an important part of keeping her in check – or at least looking over her shoulder.

Welcome to the end of the end of history.