If they rearmed and started taking a more active role in the region's security I can see that happening, especially if they become less confident in the willingness/ability of the US to defend them. They know full well that the Chinese want to wipe them off the face of the earth and I can see them teaming up with other countries in the region that have similar problems. Right now Japan has a China problem. They'll have an even bigger China problem if Winnie the Pooh manages to gobble up Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam.
why? you think Japan that is under protection of the US is going to risk its neck for Taiwan, Korea (also under US protection) or Vietnam?
If they rearmed and started taking a more active role in the region's security I can see that happening, especially if they become less confident in the willingness/ability of the US to defend them. They know full well that the Chinese want to wipe them off the face of the earth and I can see them teaming up with other countries in the region that have similar problems. Right now Japan has a China problem. They'll have an even bigger China problem if Winnie the Pooh manages to gobble up Taiwan, Korea, and Vietnam.