Redefining 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.

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.

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

American Defense Policy has been a mainstay for instructors of courses in political science, international relations, military affairs, and American national security for over 25 years. The updated and thoroughly revised eighth edition considers questions of continuity and change in America's defense policy in the face of a global climate beset by geopolitical tensions, rapid technological change, and terrorist violence. On September 11, 2001, the seemingly impervious United States was handed a very sharp reality check. In this new atmosphere of fear and vulnerability, policy makers were forced to make national security their highest priority, implementing laws and military spending initiatives to combat the threat of international terrorism.In this volume, experts examine the many factors that shape today's security landscape - America's values, the preparation of future defense leaders, the efforts to apply what we have learned from Afghanistan and Iraq...