An unprecedented outpouring of protest by the Japanese people did not deter lawmakers from ramming controversial national security legislation through parliament.
The concerns of China and South Korea were ignored; the agenda of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and other nationalist politicians to make Japan a "normal" country with a fully operational defence force has been made abundantly clear.
With pacifist sentiment, democratic processes and judicial opinion having been brushed aside, a milestone has been attained that the electorate and neighbours have little choice other than to accept.
The risk of military confrontation has been increased, making it essential that the policy be exercised prudently.
There has been no more major shift in Japan's post-war defence posture. Under article nine of its pacifist constitution, the nation foreswore using military force to settle disputes.
The crux of the argument lay in a perceived threat from China's growing assertiveness in the East and South China seas and North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes.
