Japan and the United States 2004-2005: Going Global

In many respects 2004 proved to be an unprecedented year for security cooperation between Japan and the United States. It was a year that began with high expectations following the Japanese governments decision to dispatch troops to Iraq, purchase U.S. missile defense technology and pass key legislation that will improve Japans capacity to provide logistical support to the U.S. military in case of a contingency in the region. Security cooperation on such a broad scale led some analysts to suggest that the U.S.-Japan alliance had gone global in 2004. Yet mixed within the obvious gains made in the security relationship during 2004 were signs that many in Japan continue to be wary of a radical transformation of the alliance and Japans international security role. While it is clear that tensions with China and North Korea are pushing Japan to strengthen the alliance, it is also true that a perception of U.S. unilateralism has caused some within Japan to favor a more independent foreign policy. Japanese policy analysts, who once touted Japans economic diplomacy, have also shown a growing appreciationfor the role of military power as an element of an effective diplomatic strategy. Thus, with competition for influence in Asia heating up, Japan is looking to play a greater role in regional security cooperation, despite the limitations currently imposed by its postwar constitution. For 2005, the most probable scenario is that Japan will continue to strengthen its alliance with the United States, while simultaneously attempting to stake out more independent terrain in international and regional affairs. In order to accommodate this process Japan will look to resolve issues related to collective self-defense and Article 9 of its Constitution, which renounces war. The pace at which these issues are confronted will most likely be connected to Japans relations with China and North Korea.