On The Reagan Policy Toward Japan

The Reagan administration adjusted the postwar American foreign policy for the third time. For this, the U.S. adjusted its policy toward Japan accordingly to serve its global strategy. The article analyzed the external and internal factors that affected its policy, the aim and practice of its policy and the characteristic of its policy. To conclude, in politics, the U.S. was hooking in and restricting Japan. In economy, the U.S. was seeking help from Japan and harmonizing with Japan. In security, the U.S. was asking help from Japan and controlling Japan. The Reagan administration achieved its aim of intensifying its alliance with Japan and contradicting Soviet. Though the trade friction between U.S and Japan was not solved thoroughly, an effective mechanism of harmonizing came into being during this period and which laid a foundation for subsequent trade negotiation. The Reagan administration made Japan increase defense fee and share in the burden of security. Meanwhile, the U.S. was wary of Japan's military expansion and prevented Japan from becoming a military power.