Japan has been in the news a lot these days. Based on recent reports, some news is good and some is disconcerting. For example, the Japanese stock market has gone up so current economic policies of the Japanese government have been lauded. At the same time, old regional animosities have once again emerged over issues such as Japan’s military history and territorial disputes. While recent visits by Japan’s leaders to a religious shrine have stirred controversy, of greater concern is the military confrontation over Pacific islands between China and Japan. Meanwhile, North Korea has fired rockets that have gotten the attention of Japan and others. It is good for Japan that the economy is improving but Japan still faces difficult decisions and many risks.