Postwar US-Japan relations

1.How have subsequent Japanese governments continued or changed what Koizumi did?

            The US-Japan relationship was considered too close according to most of the Japanese people during the Koizumi term in office. It follows that subsequent governments tried their best to reduce the ties to the bare minimum to go in line with public opinion (Green 101). The tight friendship that was evident between Koizumi and Bush is no longer evident between the respective leaders. As recent as  2009, the US government was in a frosty relationship with the Japanese government as pertains to the relocation of a marine air base in Okinawa (Mochizuki and O’Hanlon 13). In addition, the Japanese government has reverted to its previous policy of non-cooperation when it comes to intervention in World conflicts.

What does the Koizumi changes and subsequent changes mean?

            The Koizumi changes had the effect of bringing the two countries together to an extent that for the first time Japan sent forces to a US led war. This however created hostilities from the Japanese public towards the Americans and the government as a whole. The popularity of the opposition also grew in popularity during that period. However, during Koizumi’s reign the alliance was the strongest it had ever been before. The subsequent changes had the effect of reducing the ties between the two countries. The relations have soured to the bare minimum ever since Koizumi stepped down with Japan taking the non-involvement in matters that it deems as external aggression (Green 106).

            In addition, the changes in the relationship mean that the two nations do not see eye to eye on some issues. Some of them being the position to take on the problem brewing in North Korea. The Japanese government has chosen to take a more conservative approach in dealing with some of these problems while the US is pro aggression.

Does this mean Japan will become the "Britain of the Pacific"?

            Taking into consideration the effect of the changes that have been made since the end of Koizumi’s reign, Japan will not become the "Britain of the Pacific." This would have been quite possible during the Koizumi era. Currently the relations between South Korea and the US have been growing giving an indication that she could soon become a major partner of the US (Lecture 16). However, taking into consideration the economic and military might of Japan, then it is likely that the US will be willing to foster the relationship even further. Eventually, if the approach taken by recent administrations is changed, Japan will become the "Britain of the Pacific."

2.What are the three most possible problems or issues that might cause tension in the relationship in the near future?

The rise of China and the Taiwan posse’s substantial challenge to the alliance. The current state of affairs and especially conflicts between Japan and United States all directly or indirectly involve china. In addition, if Japan gets close to China economically, then it could prove detrimental to the US-Japan relationship. Currently, China and United States do not get along on a number of issues, especially on Taiwan, and it is yet to be seen which side Japan will take in the event a war breaks out (Lecture 13).

The second issue relates to North Korea’s activities such as its development of nuclear weapons that threatens the stability in the region. At any time, it can attack Japan or any other US allies in the region. Currently, North Korea has refused to sit down with the other nations to discuss the matter (Lecture 14).

The territorial issues that Japan has with both china and South Korea also pose a problem for the alliance. Japan has over the years had a long running dispute with China and South Korea, which threatens to escalate if not checked. This puts the US in a dilemma (Lecture 16).

What are your reasons for seeing these three issues as the most important problem?

China’s growth poses a challenge to the US-Japan relations, as it is perceived to be gearing to an ‘arms race’ with Japan. However, the question at hand will now be if the US-Japan alliance will be able to match the military might of China in the region. If they can, it is still out to debate on whether Japan will help the United States defend Taiwan in the event that a war breaks out (Lecture 14).

On the North Korean issue, both nations perceive it a major threat to the security in the region. For the United States, the only viable solution to the nuclear threat posed by North Korea is to engage in war, which Japan adamantly rejects. If the US were to attack North Korea, it is expected that it will react by launching its nuclear weapons to Tokyo. Japan is keen to avoid any confrontation that may put its people in trouble. It is yet to be seen how Japan will react if the US launched an attack in North Korea (Lecture 14).

In the recent past, the relationship between the US and china has grown. In addition, South Korea happens to be a great ally of the US. The fact that Japan is involved in territorial disputes with either nation puts the US in a dilemma. If a war were to breakout, then the challenge for the US would be to choose which side to take. Either way, the US-Japan alliance would be weakened at the end of such a conflict (Lecture 16).

Works cited

 

Green, Michael J. U.S.-Japanese Relations after Koizumi: Convergence or Cooling? The    Washington Quarterly 29.4 (2006): 101–110. <http://www.twq.com/06autumn/docs/06autumn_green.pdf>

Lecture 13. Rise of China.

Lecture 14. North Korea.

Lecture 16. Regionalized Globalized Alliance.

Mochizuki, Mike and Michael O’Hanlon. A proposed compromise on Futenma: The unnecessary  crisis. The Oriental Economist (2010): 13-14.