Maximizing U.S. Interests in Science and Technology Relations with Japan: Report of the Defense Task Force (1995) / Chapter Skim
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2 DEFINING U.S. INTERESTS
2 DEFINING U.S. INTERESTS
Pages 11-21
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From page 11... ...
· Shifts in the geopolitical environment and in the relative economic strength of the United States and Japan mean that the conduct of the relationship wiR inevitably change. Indeed, elements of the partnership have changed in recent years, mainly because the United States has begun to seek greater reciprocity in the relationship and the common Soviet threat has dissipated.
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From page 12... ...
The Japanese conservatives of the Liberal Democratic Party, who enjoyed parliamentary majorities continuously from 1955 until 1993, pursued a policy of supporting the U.S.-Japan alliance and gradually increasing Japan's military capabilities.3 Consistent support for the alliance, general acquiescence to U.S. political leadership in major international issues, and a forward position near the Asian land mass were the primary Japanese contributions to the U.S.Japan relationship.
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From page 13... ...
The United States followed a conscious policy of encouraging lapan's participation in the alliance by providing extensive economic benefits (luring the 1950s, benefits that provided a short-term boost to the Japanese economy anti helped lay the foundation for rapid growth over the next several decades. Examples include providing access to the U.S.
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From page 14... ...
The transfer of military technology from the United States to Japan represented an inducement for Japan to rebuild its defense industrial base ant! procure systems consistent with an expanding defense capability within the framework of the alliance.
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From page 15... ...
decisionmakina in the F-15 and FS-X cases, particularly the heightened concerns expressed in _ _ ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ , , ~ A ~ · ~ ~ T T ~ ~ · · ~ ~ ~ · ~ 1 the ts-x debate m 1~-lv~v en out the posslole rises lo U.~. 1eauersnlp m one commercial aircraft industry posed by transfer of military aircraft technology to Japan, illustrated that security concerns were becoming subject to wider scrutiny and debate and that economic interests could no longer be controlled or ignored by those managing the security relationship.9 THE NEW ENVIRONMENT Recent American and Japanese analyses are in general agreement about the key features of the Asia-Pacif~c security environment for the next several years.l° First, although the risk of great power conflict appears to be low at the present time, several ofthe world's major military powers have vital interests in the region, meaning that global and regional security concerns are highly ~Ironically, the U.S.
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From page 16... ...
of the ASEAN Regional Forum, efforts to realize a limitect nuclear free zone in Northeast Asia, and other institutions and mechanisms aimed at ensuring global ant! regional security conic!
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From page 17... ...
One line of thinking, whose best-known advocate is Representative Ichiro Ozawa of the newly formed Shinshinto, or New Frontiers Party, envisions Japan (leveloping into a "normal country" that plays an international role in political anti military affairs commensurate with its industrial and financial strength. Most of those embracing this view favor a strong U.S.-lapan alliance but also advocate a significant boost in the capabilities of the Self Defense Forces, inclucling those requires!
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From page 18... ...
A strong U.S.-Japan alliance helps prevent a significant expansion of the Japanese military, including acquiring a nuclear arsenal, anct discourages Japan from assuming a political stance opposed to that of the United States. In the longer term, a continued U.S.-lapan alliance would serve to balance the emerging power of China, a resurgent Russia, or North Korea.20 Further, the security alliance with Japan does not impel the United States to spend anything on defense that it would not be spending anyway.
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From page 19... ...
Even if Japan chooses to play a more active role in regional and global security affairs, the alliance with the United States will continue to serve as a substitute for an expensive indigenous military and military-industrial establishment. It is often pointed out that the alliance increases lapan's flexibility in Asian diplomacy, prevents a large-scale arms race in the region aimed at Japan, and enhances Japanese economic access to the region.
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From page 20... ...
Japan alliance. Although it is possible that both countries will increasingly link their foreign policy initiatives to the United Nations or emerging regional fore such as the ASEAN Regional Forum, developments over the past several years illustrate the significant barriers that exist to building effective multilateral institutions.
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From page 21... ...
Despite the challenges to effective management, however, the U.S.-lapan security alliance and other aspects of the overall relationship continue to serve the fundamental interests of Japan, and the Uniter! States continues to have leverage in the relationship as a result.
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