(Tokyo Shimbun: July 1, 2015—p. 6)

 It’s been a year since the Abe government made a cabinet decision allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense using armed force to defend foreign countries. A year ago today, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he would give “scrupulous explanations” about his cabinet’s decision to lift the ban on Japan’s participation in collective self-defense, which his predecessors have interpreted as unconstitutional. At the same time, Prime Minister Abe also vowed to “continue efforts for the public’s understanding.” However, findings from public opinion surveys conducted thereafter show a shrinking trend in the proportion of those in favor of Japan’s participation in collective self-defense. (Abridged)