Japan's recent efforts to move ahead with a controversial plan to relocate a key U.S. Marine base and its choice of the U.S.-led F-35 stealth fighter as its new mainstay fighter highlight its continuing priority of deepening security ties with the United States.
Tokyo's new policy of easing restrictions on a longstanding arms export ban has also created new rules that allow it to take part in joint arms development and production with close ally Washington and other friendly nations.
But with these decisions reached toward the end of 2011 despite strong opposition and not much debate, critics argue that the government's moves were ill-timed and hasty.