Japan-U.S. Relations: Issues and Outlook--Findings of a CRS Seminar

Publication Date: December 1997

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Government

Type:

Coverage: Japan

Abstract:

A CRS seminar on current issues in U.S.-Japan relations focused on salient economic and security difficulties affecting the generally cooperative U.S.-Japan alliance relationship.1 On economic questions, participants concluded that the combination of Japan's slow growth, a depreciating yen relative to the U.S. dollar, curbed export opportunities in Asia, and halting steps toward Japanese economic deregulation presages a growing Japanese trade surplus that is certain to try U.S. patience. Regarding security issues, participants acknowledged that recently announced U.S.-Japan defense guidelines were mutually beneficial, but raised questions about the Japanese government's ability to implement them expeditiously and effectively. Some also noted that the guidelines do little to alter basic asymmetries in the U.S.-Japanese security relations that could be difficult to manage, especially during a regional crisis involving both countries' interests.