U.S-Japan Security Alliance Treaty at Its 50th Anniversary: Hatoyama's Challenges to the Obama Administration

[[abstract]]It starts with the pronouncement of a change of the attitude by Hoatoyama's Government toward the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance Treaty. It traces the evolution of the alliance relationship over the past five decades. One studies the nature of the alliance as well as the controversies involving Japan's constitution. Also touched upon are the China factor in Japan's security calculations as well as the Taiwan factor in the U.S.-Japan alliance relationship. The Obama Administration inherited the challenges in the U.S.-Japan alliance, such as the Futenma base issue, from its predecessor. Joseph Nye urged that the alliance relationship be more important than the Futenma base. Yoichi Funabashi believes that the challenges facing the Obama Administration can still turn into an opportunity.[[booktype]]紙