The pre-World War II era, when an imperial Japan attempted to secure an exclusive economic sphere for itself, is long past. The Japanese people have demonstrated a consistent aversion to the use of force and an equally strong determination to maintain firm civilian control over the nation's military. |
The presence of U.S. troops in stable, democratic countries that are capable of playing a larger regional role might inhibit such countries from assuming responsibilities commensurate with their political, military, and economic strength. |