Title: Japan challenges America : managing an alliance in crisis /
Authors: Holland, Harrison M., 1921-
Publisher: Westview Press,
Year: 1992
Subjects: United States Relations Japan.; Japan Relations United States.
Abstract: With the U.S.-Japan alliance in jeopardy, former diplomat Harrison Holland argues that both sides must take bold steps to avert a catastrophe that could well destabilize economic, political, and security conditions in Asia. The full international community is affected by the growing crisis, and this book provides an invaluable insider's perceptions of its causes and consequences and what can be done to check the slide toward serious confrontation. Holland illuminates those aspects of life in Japan that influence behavior, shape policy, and affect public opinion in a society that often prefers to be left alone to seek a better life. He weighs the obstacles to better economic relations; the security dilemmas facing Japan; and a rigid political structure that has been slow to adapt to the surge of modern technology, to the demands of rapid international change, and to the internal and external calls for a more responsible Japanese role in world affairs. Can the alliance survive the present turmoil? Despite the daunting obstacles, Holland concludes that solutions must and will be found.
Contents: 1. Introduction to the U.S.-Japanese Relationship -- 2. Portrait of Two Societies -- The Beginning -- Religion -- Education -- Climate and People -- Youth -- The Business World and the "Salaryman" -- Retirement -- A Society of Achievers -- The Family -- Contrasts: The United States and Japan -- 3. Economic Adversaries: The Japanese Challenge -- Some History -- Understanding the Crisis -- Resolving the Crisis: The U.S. Point of View -- Resolving the Crisis: The Japanese Point of View -- The Balance Sheet -- 4. Economic Adversaries: Managing the Rivalry -- Interdependence and Change -- Collaboration -- A Key to Defusing the Trade Crisis -- Changes in Japan's Economic Behavior: Some Positive Signs -- Forces Slowing Economic Change -- 5. Managing Defense: The Growing Dilemma -- Unsatisfactory Choices -- Some Historical Footnotes -- The Constitution: Article 9 -- The U.S.-Japanese Mutual Security Treaty -- The Three Nonnuclear Principles -- Other Constraints on Defense Policy -- Civilian Control of the Military -- Nature of the Present Defense Relationship -- Technology Transfer -- Boon or Blunder? -- Opportunities for the United States and Policy Dilemmas -- Japan's Predicament -- 6. Politics and Diplomacy: Omens for the Alliance -- The Japanese Political Scene -- The Politician and the Party -- The Bureaucrat -- Durable Government -- Money Politics -- The Bifurcated U.S. Policy Toward Japan -- Japan's Neighbors: Friends or Foes? -- 7. Politics in the 1990s -- Stirrings of Internationalism -- The Economic Thrust to Politics -- The U.S. Point of View -- The Japanese Point of View -- Can One Expect Political and Social Change in Japan? -- 8. From Reason to Rhetoric -- The Communication Dilemma -- The Perception Gap -- The Media and Education: Wielders of Influence -- How to Improve the Dialogue: The U.S. Point of View -- How to Improve the Dialogue: The Japanese Point of View -- 9. What's Ahead: More Controversy Or Collaboration?