Tokyo needs to reassess its relations with the U.S. and its dependency on it for security.

Washington places too much emphasis on reducing the trade deficit and not enough on investing in future U.S. competitiveness.

Precisely because Tokyo is not directly involved with planning and executing a bilateral meeting, it is well-placed to focus more on the longer-term objectives of not only denuclearization, but also on political issues.

A much-touted bond with the U.S. president left Prime Minister Shinzo Abe largely empty-handed.

When it comes to winning hearts and minds in springtime, it's almost impossible to beat Japan's influence in Washington.

U.S. pressure on Japan to buy more weapons as a means to reduce the bilateral trade deficit may be exactly what Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to hear.

Overcoming nationalistic barriers is more urgent than ever for pro-Western Asian countries.