HOW TO SAVE THE U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE.

AuthorSylvester, John

HOW TO SAVE THE U.S.-JAPAN ALLIANCE http://www.heritage.org/Research/AsiaandthePacific/bg2308.cfm

By Bruce Klingner, Asian Studies Center, The Heritage Foundation

Over several decades, United States policy towards Japan has been remarkably uncontroversial and consistent. With the advent of a new administration, however, every self-respecting Japan expert feels the need to give the newcomers his advice, as has Mr. Klingner in this thoughtful article. Though "the U.S.-Japan alliance remains crucial," he describes it as "underperforming" and identifies steps that both countries' leaders should take.

An immediate problem is that the new administration in Washington must now deal with Japan's Democratic Party, an odd mixture of dissident conservatives and former Socialists, who have taken the helm in Tokyo. It came into office calling for more populist policies, including less dependence on ties with the U.S.--notions from which it may have to back peddle hard as it faces the realities of a truculent North Korea and a more powerful, self-confident China.

The Japanese public, still shy of its military after the debacle of World War II, does not support an active security policy abroad. "Japan is a powerful nation that punches below its weight and exerts little international influence," Klingner observes. "Rather...

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