Soviet Union noted the withdrawal of the US presence in Asia. As the Cold War faded, US troop declined from 141,000 in 1988 to 98,000 in 1992 (Johnstone). This was accompanied with her withdrawal from Philippines in 1991. At the same time, the US was facing severe economic recession. She faced a budgetary problem to maintain military presence in Asia as well as domestic argument that Washington should concentrate on domestic problems before international security arrangements. Thus, Japans security guarantee by the US started to become unreliable. At the same time, Chine emerged as a major power in Asia. Chinas economic and military power hinted a threat to Japan after the war. Without guaranteed US protection, Japan became exposed to too much danger from her neighbor power. Thus, at the same time Japan needed to secure good relationship with China, she also thought China as a possible alternative to the United States. This idea was well accompanied with her increasingly successful economic cooperation with other Asian countries. By 1991, Japan exported more to Asia than to the United States, notes Chris Johnstone in Japan and Asia: What Happened? (Johnstone). Particularly with China, Japan imports a large volume of raw materials. Johnstone claims that approximately 50 percent of Japanese trade is now with Asia (Johnstone). Thus, potential US withdrawal from protecting Japan coinciding with Japans increasing economic transaction with Asia shifted Japans focus to partnerships in security.Japan faces another threat from North Korea. Recently there has been a suspicion of North Korean attempt to possess nuclear weapons. Satoh proposes, a prospect that North Korea might possess nuclear weapons has destabilizing implications not only for the security of North East Asia but for global security (Satoh, 39-40). Indeed, this includes Japans national security. Thus, Japans focus on better diplomatic relations with her neighbors...
