U.S. Secretary of Defense William Cohen's recent visit to Tokyo demonstrates the immaturity of the U.S.-Japan alliance, particularly from a strategic point of view.
The Cohen trip to Hong Kong, Hanoi, Tokyo and Seoul was carefully planned to demonstrate U.S. strategic sensitivity during the period just before and after the Taiwan election. In the midst of tremendous uncertainty about Beijing's reaction to the Taiwan election, the discussions between Cohen and top Japanese officials were supposed to have significant strategic implications. However, the meetings were preoccupied once again by a number of trivial matters, such as the return of Kadena Air Base's radar-approach control to Japan and a dioxin problem near Atsugi Naval Base. To be sure, these matters are not unimportant, but they are not strategically significant compared to joint preparations for a possible Chinese military adventure in the Taiwan Strait or a Korean contingency.
The current state of the U.S.-Japan alliance is poor. There are a number of problems that distract policymakers in Washington and Tokyo from being engaged in vital strategic dialogue. Okinawa's governor continues to insist on a 15-year limitation of use for the relocated Futenma Marine Air Station, while Tokyo's governor demands the return of the Yokota Air Base and Kochi Prefecture's governor attempts to require certification that incoming foreign ships do not carry nuclear weapons.