The Japan-U.S. alliance is a remarkable achievement. The two countries are virtual mirror images of each other, and have, until recently, had relatively little interaction and exchange. Yet their relationship has endured, even prospered, through a turbulent half century.
The world has been transformed since the two countries were inextricably linked by war; in particular, the Cold War glue that bound the two governments together has evaporated. This timely and important book examines the future of the U.S.-Japan relationship. The authors conclude that relations are evolving but the alliance will endure if the two countries take the long view. Regional peace and stability, the creation of wealth and prosperity, and the spread of democracy and human rights are all made possible by a strong U.S.-Japan relationship. The challenge today is recognizing those common interests and objectives and managing the relationship so that day-to-day irritants do not interfere with more vital national interests. Nothing should be taken for granted.
"U.S.-Japan Relations" takes a tour d'horizon of the relationship. There are chapters on national security, economic performance, paradigms (views of the world), domestic politics, the media, views of and relations with international organizations, finance and technology. The contributors are experts on each subject. Unfortunately, all are Americans. Given the provenance of the book -- the U.S.-Japan 21st Century Project was sponsored by the Japan Society of Northern California, the Berkeley Roundtable on the International Economy, and the Asia/Pacific Research Center at Stanford University -- the shortcoming is understandable. Still it would be fascinating to have Japanese views on these topics.