Tightening the Helmet Strings: The Future of the U.S.Japan Security Relationship

摘要

During the mid-1990s, the U.S.-Japan security relationship was confronted with new challenges created by the end of the Cold War and the emergence of new Asian political and economic dynamics. At first, slow to react to these changed circumstances, Japanese and American security managers eventually grappled with the issue and developed a security architecture for future cooperation. Although the drift in the relationship has been halted, the alliance must deal with a host of problems - China North Korea, U.S. basing issues - if it is to survive and prosper in first decades of the 21st century. Political leadership in both Tokyo and Washington is the key ingredient to ensure the credibility of the alliance is maintained.