Publication

This commentary argues that while political elites remain committed to the US-Japan relationship, there are some underlying anxieties in Japanese public opinion. The author suggests that the Japanese public is uncertain how the US pivot to the Asia-Pacific will affect the alliance. This is especially the case in terms of the Senkaku/Diaoyu islands dispute where the US has not supported Japan’s claims of sovereignty. The author argues that Washington's position does not sufficiently recognize how these islands connect to Japanese perceptions of territorial integrity.