A Realistic Approach to the US-Japan Alliance.
Abstract
United States strategic interests in Asia and the Pacific have grown substantially and will continue to grow in the future. Central to the continued prosperity and security of the area is the viability of the US-Japan alliance. This essay examines that alliance in terms of overall Japanese policy, to include domestic political constraints, the one percent of the GNP (Gross National Product) defense spending barrier, and a slow but steady trend toward increased Japanese security awareness over the past decade. It concludes that there are several avenues available which, if pursued, will increase the effectiveness of US-Japan defense cooperation while avoiding the difficult domestic and multilateral issues which would be raised by a remilitarized Japan. These avenues include an approach which deemphasizes pressures on Japan to increase defense spending but encourages force improvement, expanded roles and missions for the Japan Self Defense Force(JSDF), increased joint and combined training, aand expanded technological exchange. The essay concludes that substantial improvements in JSDF cabpabilities must be addressed in a multilateral context in order to reach the full potential of the US-Japan alliance.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1984
- Accession Number
- ADA150269
Entities
People
- J. V. Young
Organizations
- United States Army War College