result strengthen stability in the region. the new security measures help facilitate an agreement that japan made with the u.s. earlier this year, attempting to improve the way the two nations collaborate on intelligence, maritime security, air and missile defense among other priorities. the new agreement also clarifies how the alliance would respond to attacks against japan so that there is less chance of confusion or lack of clarity. as china rises, asia needs a balance of power so countries don't worry about a beijing-dominated continent. prime minister abe could have pursued the new security measures in a less divisive way politically, and he should stop toying with hypernationalist symbols as when he pays tribute to the yasukuni shrine which honors several war criminals. at some point asia and the world will have to get comfortable with the japan that comes out of the shadows of its past, becomes a more normal nation and plays a role in asian and, yes,