Japan's role in international politics is better than ever

Over the past 30 years spanning the previous Heisei era (1989-2019), Japan's position in international politics has been strengthened by leaps and bounds. When this nation was a reviving economic powerhouse on all cylinders three decades ago, it was called the United States as an "only economic" acolyte. But now it's different stuff.

With the new year barely underway, the U.S. military killed Iranian general Qasem S....