Japan is shifting onto a new trajectory for a more muscular national security policy, US-Japan alliance ties functioning for regional and global security, and the encirclement of China's influence in East Asia. The author explores how PM Abe Shinz?'s doctrine may prove contradictory and counter-productive to Japanese national interests.

1. Introduction: From 'Yoshida Doctrine' To 'Abe Doctrine'? 2. The Origins And Ideological Drivers Of The 'Abe Doctrine' Ending The 'Post-War Regime', Restoring Great Power Status Constitutional Revision Historical Revisionism, Challenging The K?no Statement, Patriotic Education Yasukuni Shrine And Challenging The Tokyo Tribunals 3. Japan's National Security Under Abe National Security Strategy, National Defence Programme Guidelines, State Secrecy Law Breaching The Arms Export Ban, Militarisation Of ODA Collective Self-Defence Made Reality Radical New Security Precedents 4. The 'Abe Doctrine' And US-Japan Relations Revising The US-Japan Defence Guidelines, Futenma Relocation, TPP Negotiations Fears Of Abandonment, Resistance In Okinawa, Trade Blockages Distrust Over Revisionism And Yasukuni Who Is Entrapping Whom? 5. Japan's Relations Under Abe With China, The Korean Peninsula, And ASEAN Encircling China More Progress With North Korea Than South Korea? Abe Isolates Japan, China Encircles Japan? Sino-Japanese Stalemate? 6. Conclusion: 'Abe Doctrine' As Revolution Or Contradictory Failure? Three Great Contradictions Resentful Realism Redux

Christopher W. Hughes is Professor of International Politics and Japanese Studies, University of Warwick, UK. He has held visiting professorships at Harvard University, University of Tokyo, and Waseda University. He is the author of Japan's Remilitarisation (2009) and Japan's Reemergence as 'Normal' Military Power (2004).