After Iraq, the most destabilizing factor affecting Japan today is nuclear-arms development by North Korea. While aiming for a peaceful solution of the problem through dialogue, the leaders of Japan and the United States have affirmed that if North Korea escalates the situation they are ready to adopt a tougher approach, including economic sanctions.
In addition, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and U.S. President George W. Bush, at their summit in Texas earlier this week, agreed to accelerate research on missile defense, moving further to strengthen Japan-U.S. security cooperation.
Missile defense not only entails massive expenditures but also involves legal problems, because it could conflict with Japan's constitutional ban on exercising the right of collective self-defense. Following his support for military action in Iraq, Mr. Koizumi appears to be leaning further toward Japan's alliance with the U.S.