Mireya Solís

Asia is an economic dynamo, and the [Obama] administration very much wants to be in the region. At a time of limited resources, it's difficult to fund the rebalancing [to Asia], so the value of alliances increases.

[While quantitative easing by the Bank of Japan] may have an effect on the exchange rate, it is not the same as outright currency intervention. Moreover, the U.S. would be hard pressed to criticize Japan as the [Federal Reserve] has also resorted to quantitative easing to avoid deflationary pressures.

What’s really important here is that, in contrast to [Shinzo Abe's] previous administration, he’s decided not to visit China. The preference is a robust relation with the U.S. That’s a priority, but Southeast Asia is going to be a very important partner given the relationship with China is so rocky.

Mr. Abe's long-cherished objectives of constitutional revision, embrace of collective defense, and — in the run up to this election — his self-cultivated image as someone capable of taking a tough stance with China on the territorial dispute, does create concern among Japan's neighbors...But the newly elected prime minister also understands that despite the landslide victory of his party, the LDP does not enjoy widespread popular support.