United States-Japanese National Interests in Asia: Security in the 1990s
Abstract
Perceptions of the bilateral security relationship between the United States and Japan are beginning to depart the post-war norm. Japan's economic competition is beginning to be seen by some in the United States as a greater threat to U.S. national security than the traditional threat of Soviet expansionism. A difference in fundamental values between the United States and Japan may exacerbate these diverging views during a period of dramatic East-West change. This thesis proposes that the U.S. and Japan reexamine their bilateral security relationship and replace it with a formal, rational division of burden and decision sharing by allocating primary areas of security responsibility in Asia within the alliance. It proposes that Japanese naval forces assume primary responsibility of stability and peace in Northeast Asia while the United States continues primary responsibility of stability and peace the vital sea lanes of communication in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea. The flexibility of this strategy would permit coping with the uncertainty of United States-U.S.S.R. relations until the success or failure of Soviet reforms can be ascertained. Also, a revised security arrangement between the United States and Japan would diminish the prospects of an independent Japanese military posture in Asia. Japan, Japanese, Sea lanes, Sea Lines Of Communication (SLOC), Military, Defense, Navy, Naval, Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF), Kuriles, Soviet pacific fleet, Maritime balance Korea, National interest, Treaty, Theses.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA221853
Entities
People
- Mark T. Staples
Organizations
- Naval Postgraduate School