The United States had hoped in the 1950s that Japan would quickly build its defense capabilities and exercise the right of collective defense in exchange for U.S. military assistance, according to diplomatic documents declassified Wednesday.
The U.S. expressed that hope during 1953-1954 negotiations for the bilateral pact on Mutual Defense Assistance, or MDA, but Japan strongly objected, saying it wants to focus on economic reconstruction.
While Tokyo welcomed Washington's offer of military assistance, its officials argued adamantly that Japan wanted to build up the country's defense capability as moderately as possible, according to minutes of the talks, which began July 15, 1953, in Tokyo.