In January 2010, the United States and Japan celebrated the 50th anniversary of the bilateral security alliance between the two countries. However, official commemoration of the partnership—long considered the linchpin for maintaining peace and stability in Asia—occurred against the backdrop of significant strain in the relationship.

Long-simmering cleavages, most visibly the inability to implement an agreement on U.S. basing and force realignments signed in 2006, triggered reassessments and serious questions regarding the proper role of the alliance in meeting current and future challenges. What purpose does the alliance serve in 2010? Should it continue to exist? How should it be defined? What roles and missions should the partners undertake? What factors limit their ability to act?

Asia Policy has invited six distinguished scholars to offer their thoughts on these questions in an effort to inform the debate over the future of the U.S.-Japan alliance.

Troubled Alliance

Kenneth B. Pyle

Return to Basics: Recalibrating the U.S.-Japan Security Alliance

Michael Finnegan

Redefining and Reaffirming the U.S.-Japan Alliance

Michael J. Green

Alliance Endangered? Challenges from the Changing Political-Economic Context of U.S.-Japan Relations

Kent E. Calder

The 50th Anniversary: Time for a “Renewal of Vows”

Andrew L. Oros

A Short-Term Challenge to the U.S.-Japan Alliance Putting Its Long-Term Health at Risk

Yuki Tatsumi