IT wouldn't be an exaggeration to describe Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to Washington last week, the first by a Japanese PM in nine years, as "historic" and not only because it's taking place in a year that marks the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II or because Mr Abe became the first Japanese leader to address a joint meeting of the US Congress.

Against the backdrop of a rising China and a changing balance of power in Asia and with US President Barack Obama continuing to pursue his "pivot" towards the region, the visit provided an opportunity for Japan and the United States to reiterate their commitment to their long-time strategic relationship and to take steps to upgrade it.

Indeed, the two leaders approved new military guidelines that would allow the Japanese military to use force when the United States is being threatened. In fact, Mr Abe has been pressing for changes in the pacifist post-World War II Japanese constitution that would permit Japan to play a more activist military role as part of its strategic partnership with the United States.