Redefining Japan The U S Japan Alliance

Japan is starting to emerge as a major player in the international security affairs of the post-Cold War era. With the approach of the half-century mark since the conclusion of the Second World War, Japan's postwar generation of leaders appears more confident than their predecessors about their country's potential contribution to global peace and stability. Evidence that Japan may be finding its footing as a great market democracy is extant in the recent report of a distinguished advisory commission reviewing Japan's National Defense Program Outline: "Japan should extricate itself from its security policy of the past that was, if anything, passive, and henceforth play an active role in shaping a new order."2.

Redefining the Partnership examines the roles of the United States and Japan in East Asia's constantly changing political and economic environment. As the Cold War recedes further into the past, the United States and Japan have shifted interest to the other economically growing countries in East Asia. Scholars from both America and Japan propose solutions to the conflicts between the two countries in approach and explain the importance of a partnership to both countries. These proposals attempt to sort out the challenges of dealing with the military threats and political uncertainties of nations such as China and North Korea, while taking advantage of the economic development of the area. They express the importance of a stable relationship between the two countries for either to be successful, as well as the importance of dealing with problems like the United States trade deficit.

This is an edited volume that examines the US-Japan security alliance, the key to US-Japanese relations since the end of US occupation in the 50s. The alliance has long been a source of both co-operation and stress between the two nations, but with rapid changes in Asia, it has grown more problematic. This book brings American and Japanese specialists together to examine the alliance within the wider regional environment and to determine whether and how the bilateral alliance can evolve and remain at the core of the region's security order.

Examines how the current alliance between the US and Japan might be redefined and even restructured to respond more effectively to the changing security environment of the region. Analyzes the motivations and results of both countries' security policies in the context of the regions' security environment, and addresses ways to improve bilateral defense cooperation. Makes policy recommendations for strengthening the relationship, increasing Japan's contribution to Asia-Pacific security, and integrating China into the regional community. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

The U.S.-Japan Alliance: Past, Present, and Future explains the inner workings of the U.S.-Japan alliance and recommends new approaches to sustaining this critical bilateral security relationship.