China, the U.S.-Japan Alliance, and the Security Dilemma In East Asia

Abstract

Thomas Christensen of MIT suggests that the pessimists are right to be concerned about potential instability in East Asia in the coming decades. Given China's deep sensitivity to almost any change in the U.S.-Japan alliance—for example, encouraging Japan to assume a greater burden-sharing role in the region or engaging in joint theater missile defense research with the United States—Christensen contends that the United States faces a formidable challenge in reassuring Japan of its commitment to the alliance while addressing the concerns of Japan's neighbors that Japan will not pose a threat to regional stability.