Japan’s Security Alliance Policy with the USA (1946-2005):
An Assessment within the Framework of the Realist Theory

Hakan GÖNEN**

Abstract

After the unconditional surrender at the end of the Second World War and the subsequent military occupation led by the US, Japan rebuilt its economy in a remarkably short period and, from the 1970s, has become the second biggest economic power in the world. Nevertheless, notwithstanding important steps towards expanding its military power and activities, Japanese governments avoided becoming a great military power in the international system. As a result, Japan, following a “low profiled” security policy, hardly deviated from the US line. Main reasons for this policy are to be found not only in the Japanese domestic politics but in how Japan perceived the international system. Consequently, in this article, Japan’s alliance policies with the US will be analyzed within the realist paradigm.

Keywords: Japan; the USA; Security Alliance; Realist Paradigm.

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