Fragile Relationships: Japan, High Technology, and U.S. Vital Interests
Abstract
Who won the war? By the end of this decade the American way of life as we know it today will be lost. A deep recession will grip the country as we use increasing amounts of our wealth to service the national debt. Japan will be our creditor. U.S. market shares, both overseas and stateside, will be dramatically eroded from the already shrunken shares of 1990. Japan will own those new shares. We will have lost the lead in most high technologies including two of our most precious and enduring...fighter aircraft and supercomputers. At risk will be the commercial aviation market. Japanese basic research will become a dominant force for innovation and continued growth. No longer will they be dependent upon our ideas to fuel the engine of their economic miracle. The complex set of issues that led us down this disastrous road will also lead us to simple solutions and scapegoats. Our new-found enemy will be Japan. In fact, many Americans already see Japan as an enemy. The Washington Post (Feb. II, 1990) noted that some public opinion polls "show that a majority of Americans now see the Japanese economic prowess as a greater threat to U.S. security than Soviet military power." To prevent this eventuality and even the perception thereof, the United States must respond to the Japanese "economic threat" soon. Concurrently, smaller U.S. military forces must continue to provide credible deterrence while protecting national interests worldwide.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 04, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA437573
Entities
People
- David Mccloud
Organizations
- National War College