U.S.-Japan Alliance: Is It "Closer Than Ever" or Is It Something Different?
United States has always played the role of "protector" in the Asia-Pacific region, and Japan is like a loyal retinue, but superficial harmony does not mean that there is no inner barrier, and through an in-depth analysis of the US-Japan alliance, we will reveal the complex interests behind this long-standing alliance
The historical origins and evolution of the U.S.-Japan alliance
The roots of the U.S.-Japan alliance date back to the Cold War, when Japan served as a key ally of United States and helped consolidate its influence in the Asia-Pacific region
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With the changes in the global situation, especially the rise of China, the center of gravity of international relations is gradually shifting, the US-Japan alliance is facing more and more challenges and tests, and the respective interests of both sides are gradually emerging
The appearance and substance of the U.S.-Japan alliance
On the outside, Biden seems to have rekindled the passion of the U.S.-Japan alliance after taking office, and he has frequently interacted with Japan politicians to ensure that the political, economic and military cooperation between the two countries continues to deepen, all of which is like a grand party, everyone laughs and has fun
Looking deeper, it is not difficult to find that behind the alliance is the binding of the respective interests of both sides, and Japan hopes to strengthen its international status through the alliance with United States, while alleviating the military threat of neighboring countries; The United States, on the other hand, wants to use Japan as a "bridgehead" to further contain the forces of China and Russia, so the seemingly close cooperation actually hides a lot of calculations
The reality of each with a ghost
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As the old saying goes, "there are no permanent friends, only eternal interests", the formation of the US-Japan alliance is actually based on this interest-oriented game, although Japan's Self-Defense Forces work closely with the US military, but not completely dependent, Japan hopes that it can have enough autonomy in order not to be marginalized in the international arena
Japan new president of the Liberal Democratic Party, Shigeru Ishiba, put forward the idea of "establishing a base for the Self-Defense Forces in United States", which is not only a test of the United States's reaction, but also a hint that Japan increase its influence in the Asia-Pacific region United States
United States confrontation and cooperation with Japan
The United States often wants to take military control completely into its own hands, while Japan is seeking greater autonomy, which is like the conflict between husband and wife, who want to live in harmony on the surface, but have their own small calculations inside
The economic dimension of the Alliance
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When it comes to the economic aspect, the cooperation between the United States and Japan is particularly practical, and the two sides have held several economic meetings to seek to deepen cooperation to cope with the uncertainty of global supply chains, and through various mechanisms such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework and the G7 cooperation, the two countries have been increasing their joint efforts in trade, science and technology, and other fields
Economic cooperation does not mean that the goals of the two sides are completely identical, and United States wants to limit the economic influence of other countries, especially China, through Japan's cooperation; Japan, on the other hand, is trying to develop its own high-tech industry and strive for a greater voice
The way forward: parting ways or creating a new one?
In the future, the direction of the U.S.-Japan alliance will be full of uncertainties, and the complexity of the international situation will still make it necessary for the two countries to cooperate. In addition, United States' strategic adjustment and Japan's awakening of self-consciousness may also bring this alliance to a new turning point
It is conceivable that if Sino-US relations continue to be tense, it will be difficult for the US-Japan alliance to maintain a long-term "honeymoon", and the two sides may face more challenges in cooperation, and how to balance their own interests will be the core issue in the coming period
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Conclusion: Friendship or Benefit?
The U.S.-Japan alliance is a complex and a relationship of interests, and while it may seem close on the surface, it is in fact full of undercurrents and challenges, and the future of this relationship remains uncertain
All this tells us that in the arena of international relations, friendship may not be able to resist the erosion of interests, every country is pursuing its own positioning and interests, and the same is true of the US-Japan alliance