Regarding Masahiro Matsumura's Dec. 16 article, "What does Japan want from Washington?": If the United States starts a war with Iran — which is highly likely — it will be overburdened by wars in the Middle East for at least the next two decades and therefore unlikely to be able to defend any allies in Asia or elsewhere. Japan will be expected to support the war in Iran, but the U.S. will not be available to support Japan's defense should the need arise.
I suggest that the Japanese people and government pay attention to the news stories generated inside America; they all seem to support a war with Iran. Israel wants a war with Iran. The minute this war starts, Japan is on its own. Don't be too surprised if the American troops that Japan wants relocated (from its soil) are moved to the Middle East.
LOUISE O'BRIEN99999Wollstonecraft, Australia