The Future of the Japan-US Alliance
There is growing fear in Japan that China's rise will marginalize its alliance with the US. But, while Japanese anxiety is understandable, given its security dependence on the US, the threat from China's emergence should not be exaggerated, and America and Japan share a strong interest in limiting it.
Cambridge – Many analysts currently detect malaise in Japan about its alliance with the United States. Some of this relates to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and a concern that the US will not adequately represent Japan’s interests (such as accounting for Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea years ago.) Other issues concern the basing of US marines in Okinawa and sharing the costs of moving some to Guam. The list is long, but they might best be thought of as “housekeeping” issues: many a couple can quarrel over them without contemplating divorce.
Cambridge – Many analysts currently detect malaise in Japan about its alliance with the United States. Some of this relates to North Korea’s nuclear weapons and a concern that the US will not adequately represent Japan’s interests (such as accounting for Japanese citizens abducted by North Korea years ago.) Other issues concern the basing of US marines in Okinawa and sharing the costs of moving some to Guam. The list is long, but they might best be thought of as “housekeeping” issues: many a couple can quarrel over them without contemplating divorce.