Publication

This report addresses the issue of mistrust in the triangular relations between the United States, Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK). The US-Japan alliance can rely on strong strategic trust, but the authors argue that fault lines must be identified to sustain the good relations. The US-ROK alliance is disturbed by emerging mistrust, mostly due to partisan politics in Seoul and cuts in the US defense budget. Relations between the ROK and Japan relations are "close but still far", i.e. an impressive in-depth relationship on many issues exists, but obstacles remain, especially regarding the coming to terms with the past.