WASHINGTON -- As U.S. President George W. Bush wandered across Northeast Asia, it appeared that he thought it was 1942, not 2002. He seemed to believe that the world was engaged in a twilight struggle between good and evil, and only overwhelming American military involvement everywhere could prevent a new Dark Ages from descending upon the planet.

He began his trip with Japan. Although the economy took precedence, Washington continues to reaffirm the two nations' military ties.

The United States wants Tokyo to do more, but not much more. And it is committed to maintaining deployments in Japan in the face of growing criticism, particularly from long-suffering Okinawans.