Japan is among the traditional allies of the United States. The two countries have elaborate trading partnerships that bind them in many levels of their economies. As the 3rd largest economy internationally, Japan provides a fundamental trading and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the United States. Some of the other factors that bring the countries together include globalization, environmental issues, technology related issues, women empowerment, security matters and world democracy. The US-Japan relationship is vital for the future success of both countries, and thereby they have elaborate policies that define and govern it. The essay provides a critical analysis of the current US policy about Japan.
Security issues are one of the factors that facilitate the alliance between the US and Japan. The security interests of the United States in Asia are based on the alliance. Through shared values such as the desire to ensure that political stability and economic freedom is promoted in Asia, promotion of human rights and development of democratic institutions, and, enhancement of prosperity in both countries. In 2015, the US and Japan strengthened their relationship by revising the US-Japan Defense Guidelines to add more provisions that expanded their cooperation in the security goal (U.S. Department of State, 2017). The role of Japan in this policy is to provide the US with finances, military bases and other forms of material support. On the other hand, the US deploys military forces in the region to enhance the maintenance of stability. According to Manyin et al., (2015) alliance has provided a foundation for the deployment of military assets and around 50, 000 troops from the US.
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Japan and the US have worked together to ensure that the ongoing modernization of the Chinese military does not affect security in Asia. Most recently, the countries joined efforts to counter the North Korean threat. The unity began in 2009 following North Korea’s decision of launching several missiles and nuclear tests (Manyin et al., 2015). In February 2017, North Korea’s president Abe and Trump were holding a meeting when North Korea conducted a Missile test. The leaders decided to release a joint response that showed their willingness to work together against any form of provocation that disrupts peace and stability.
Japan and the US have also been united in matters concerning energy and the environment. During the Obama’s Administration, multilateral organizations such as the Clean Energy Ministerial, the International Energy Agency and the East Asian Summit provided a platform through which the countries launched various environmental initiatives (Manyin et al., 2015). Japan worked closely with the US in negotiations concerning international climate. During the 2014, Nuclear Security Summit, the countries agreed on several matters including the removal of nuclear material used for weapon development from Japanese research institutes. When the same meeting was held in 2017, the duo promised to ensure that the Kyoto University Critical Assembly (KUCA) would be converted from Highly Enriched Uranium to Low Enriched Uranium (Manyin et al., 2015). The US and Japan cooperate in a nuclear policy that focuses on facilitating nuclear safety worldwide.
The economic ties between Japan and the US are vital and they are facilitated through the importation and exportation of goods and services across both countries. The figure below represents trading activities between the countries. The trading activities are as from 2005 to 2015. On matters concerning women issues, the countries emphasize on policies that encourage women to participate more in the workforce. Corporation on technology allows the countries to address complicated issues that are affecting the global community. For approximately 25 years, the countries have collaborated on various areas related to scientific research.
The current policy that binds the US and Japan is highly sensible. Firstly, it provides both countries with an opportunity for growth with relation politics and economy. The joint security efforts are not only beneficial to the duo but also to the global community. For example, if countries such as North Korea are allowed to continue with nuclear tests they can pose a danger to the entire Asia and other continents worldwide. The economic partnership creates employment through trading activities. It also promotes the transfer of knowledge and skills to and from both countries. Collaboration in environmental matters allows the countries to agree and come up with measures that emphasize on environmental conservation. Corporation in scientific matters has led to various achievements in areas such as supercomputing. All these benefits show the policy emphasizes on mutual benefits.
References
Manyin, M. E., Cooper, W., Cronin, R. P., & Niksch, L. A. (2015). Japan-US Relations: Issues for Congress. Congressional Research Service , 13 .
U.S. Department of State. (2017, January 25). U.S. Relations With Japan: Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. U.S. Department of State . Retrieved 25 April 2017, from https://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4142.htm
