So says China Confidential in discussing Japan’s new efforts to forge alliances in the face of China’s growing military and economic influence in the region and no doubt Beijing’s deepening ties to Russia From China Confidential:

China’s economic and military rise is pushing India and Japan together, as shown by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s address on Wednesday to a special session of India’s parliament.

In a tacit criticism of China, Abe proposed a new four-way “arc of freedom and prosperity” that would bring together Australia, India, Japan and the United States. He called for a “broader Asia” partnership of democracies that would include India, the US and Australia–but leave out China.

Abe’s speech kicked off a high-profile, three-day visit that aims to boost trade between Asia’s largest and third largest economies. About 200 businessmen are accompanying him on the trip.

“This partnership is an association in which we share fundamental values such as freedom, democracy and respect for basic human rights as well as strategic interests,” Abe told lawmakers and diplomats.

“By Japan and India coming together in this way, this ‘broader Asia’ will evolve into an immense network spanning the entirety of the Pacific Ocean, incorporating the United States of America and Australia.”

The Japanese navy is due to take part for the first time in joint US-India exercises to be held in the Bay of Bengal next month.

Looks like the sides for WW III are shaping up, with Islamic Imperialists being the wild card. This might be a good time to stock up on canned goods, or start reading a survival blog…