Japan has changed guards

So Mr. Junichiro Koizumi has stepped down as Japan's premier after leading the nation for more than five years, passing on the critical leadership to his protege, Mr. Shinzo Abe.

Mr. Abe, who took premiership last Tuesday after winning easily in the Parliamentary vote, has a lot of plans for the nation. In his first speech as a PM last Tuesday, he made a lasting impression to the nation that he is firm with his plans to reform the nation for the better end. "From today, I will start building a new Japan. The Cabinet I appointed today is one that will create a beautiful Japan." By beautiful, he meant in terms of culture, nature and history.

In the forefront of his reforms, the new PM vowed to repair the wounded democratic relations with China and South Korea, bolster the long-standing ties with the US, revamp the pacifist constitution as well as actively pursue educational reforms. Reports have these:

Abe's roadmap takes Japan down a path toward a more robust military and more assertive foreign policy, delineating a fresh direction for a leader who, at 52, is Japan's youngest premier and its first born after World War II.

While Abe envisions a confident Japan that can step from the shadow of decades of postwar guilt, he conceded the country's foreign and security policy will still rest firmly on Tokyo's half-century alliance with the United States.

The fact that he is young, many think that he does not have the ample experience to lead the country. Well, we have yet to see that for ourselves. He has many years to prove that.

His hawkishness is also believed as an stumbling block to forging good relations, both within and out of Japan. I guess, let us not judge him by the cover; who knows, some good things might happen, which we have this attitude of his to thank for.

To Mr. Abe, I wish you good journey in your leadership! We all ride with you as you take the driver's seat towards a beautiful Japan.