The Political Aftermath of the Japan Earthquake

Japan announced March 23 that the estimated full cost of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami will be 15 trillion to 25 trillion yen ($185 billion to $309 billion). While the nuclear crisis remains unresolved, it is already clear that the disaster will have far-reaching political consequences for Japan. Domestically, reconstruction and recovery will become the main priority for the ruling Democratic Party of Japan, whose survival is on the line. The political aftermath could also affect Japan's behavior internationally and could change the way it uses its military.