Coercive leverage against another major power seems counterproductive. Hopefully, the United States has moved beyond the trade imbalance as the sole measurement of bilateral relations. The extent to which the summit has set the stage for greater Japanese contributions undercuts the fundamental argument of the revisionists. However, a larger challenge to the alliance's redefinition comes not from the U.S. or Japan but from the other countries of the region, particularly in Northeast Asia. Attempts to reinvigorate the U.S.-ROK alliance would be a long overdue effort.
Trilateral diplomacy is also essential to effective understanding.
This is a role increasingly familiar to Tokyo, and a way for Japan to make a real contribution to regional security. The key issue is China, which probably perceives the success of this summit as a setback for Chinese foreign policy. The United States and Japan must work together to assist China's integration. In the past 20 years, no country has benefitted as much from the stability provided by the U.S.-Japan alliance as China. If the alliance is aimed at stability and not containment, then Tokyo and Washington must promote a regional security environment that could win Chinese cooperation.