摘要
As Japan grows to be a major economy, the U.S. has pressured it to play a bigger role in the international security system. The U.S.regards its alliance with Japan as bedrock for security in the Asia Pacific region, but because the function and status of the alliance are asymmetric, the U.S. has the upper hand. Whereas the U.S. has the responsibility to protect Japan if it is attacked, the opposite does not apply.
The United States recently changed its attitude and welcomed a relaxation of Japan’s ban self-defense.Differences on goals and implementation of collective defense resulted in the U.S.only offering conditional support to Japan.The ultimate policy target of the U.S.is to ensure that the ban-lifting serves its own interests in Asia.The stance retains Japan’s military under the control of the U.S.so it can maximize its own benefits and minimize risk.
