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Trade and Globalisation

Op-ed

Clingendael Asia Forum 6: The US-Japan Security Treaty at 50: Entering Uncharted Waters

01 Jun 2010 - 00:00

2010 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the key charter of the US-Japan relationship, the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, which was rammed through Japan's Diet in 1960 amid huge public protests. As in 1960 the US-Japan alliance's relationship is again today passing through troubled times towards a still uncertain future. Nine months of intense US pressure wore down the new Japanese government (in power since September 2009) to the point of accomplishing de facto a 'regime change'. The half-century-established Security Treaty System would not tolerate any challenge or attempt on Japan's part to renegotiate it. Japanese Prime Minister Hatoyama's challenge was crushed and 'LDP (Liberal Democratic Party)-type' subservience reinstated. New Japanese Prime Minister Kan iniherited a poisoned chalice in June 2010.

Gavan McCormack, Online publication, 1 June 2010