The potential of Japan to pose a military threat is explored by Oros (political science and international studies, Washington College, Maryland) and Tatsume (East Asia, Henry L. Stimson Center, Washington, DC). Drawing on their past research, both separately and collaboratively, they consider the rise and fall and possible rise again of a global military power, civilian institutions for the defense of Japan, uniformed institutions and capabilities, the security relationship between Japan and the US, Japan's regional security environment, and democratic politics and Japan's evolving security role. Annotation ©2010 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)