"Pro-American and Returning to Asia": Japan''''s Asian-Pacific Strategic Choice in the Post-Cold-War Era
"亲美入亚”与冷战后的日本亚太战略选择

Japan's Asian outlook was always caught up in a dilemma between a deviation from and a returning to Asia. With the end of the cold war, it is now switched toward a "pro-American and returning to Asia" strategy. A pragmatic strategic equilibrium theory underlies the new definition of the U-Japan defense alliance. The liberal system theory provides a framework for the establishment of the US-Japan economic alliance and free-trade relations. Japan's Asia-centered diplomatic policy betrays its intention to be the leader of this part of the world. This policy is supported by both of Japan's conservative and reform parties, which share the same value orientations aimed at the nation's economic gains.