Japan: Conditions, Issues, & U.S. Relations

Japan is a significant partner of the United States in a number of foreign policy areas, particularly in U.S. security priorities, which range from hedging against Chinese military modernisation to countering threats from North Korea. The alliance facilitates the forward deployment of about 50,000 U.S. troops and other U.S. military assets based in Japan. In addition, Japans participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) talks increases the significance of the proposed trade pact, which is a core component of Obama Administration efforts to rebalance U.S. foreign policy priorities toward the Asia-Pacific region. After years of turmoil, Japanese politics has been relatively stable since the December 2012 election victory of current Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Abe was re-elected as leader of his party in September 2015. This books discusses Japan-U.S. relations, and the issues for Congress. Furthermore, the book studies womenomics in Japan, human rights, religious freedom, and Japan’s climate statement for 2015.