Reluctantly, but emboldened by economic recovery, Japan is beginning to exert itself again, loosening its army from its post-war ties and trying to build alliances in the region.

• 虽非所愿，但有了经济复苏壮胆，日本开始再次行动起来，松开其战后军队的束缚并试图在该地区建立同盟。