"The prime minister is fighting a nationalist war, however Mr Abe's nationalism could be a fight against postwar Japan - it's regarding Japan itself. He appearance at post-1945 Japan as one thing shameful.

"The constitution deprives Japan of a traditional social unit associate degreed he needs Japan to recover full sovereignty - which suggests having a military that may be used as an instrument of policy. He needs to write down a brand new constitution by obtaining eliminate the one obligatory by the yank army of occupation straightaway when the Second warfare.

"I assume it is a lost chance.

"Japan could be a nice, big power. It's economically and by population a awfully massive country. It will have tremendous influence.

"East Asia could be a pretty rough neighbourhood strategically speaking, however there is a bound balance to the case and i am not convinced that having Japan turning into an energetic military power in alliance with the u.  s. goes to form the region safer for anybody.

"My hope was that there would be enough quality and import in Japanese political leadership that it may unfold pacifism within the region to form this space in east Asia a a lot of stable and peaceful place, therefore that is an excellent chance i believe that is thrown out."

The Inquiry is broadcast on the BBC World Service on Tuesdays from 12:05 GMT/13:05 BST. Listen on-line or transfer the podcast