Japan is one step closer to exercising the right to collective self-defense, as the lower house of parliament on Thursday approved two controversial security bills designed to expand the role of its Self-Defense Forces. Comments:

With Asia integrating into a shared geo-economy, Japan will benefit more from the trend if it chooses to take part in the ongoing globalization and pushes for closer coordination with China. On the one hand, Tokyo does not have to cut off its traditional economic connections with the Western powers; on the other, it should not go against the regional integration with remilitarization.

ifeng.com, July 16