Relationship dossier
Japan
United States
Relationship assessment
A close security alliance with extensive defense cooperation and periodic disputes over trade and US military presence.
Japan toward United States
+85Japan supports the alliance by hosting US forces and facilities under bilateral arrangements, contributing to their support, and coordinating defense policy and operations with the United States. These commitments make Japan a central partner in the US security presence in the region.
United States toward Japan
+85The United States maintains forces in Japan and provides treaty-based security commitments under the 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security. US-Japan defense guidelines and regular alliance coordination support joint planning and cooperation.
Overall relationship
+85The 1960 security treaty, US force presence in Japan, and sustained defense coordination form a durable alliance. Japan's support for US facilities and the US security commitment reinforce the partnership, while trade disputes and disagreements over the costs and local effects of military presence have periodically strained ties.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Japan and the United States maintain a close security alliance supported by the 1960 treaty, US forces stationed in Japan, and extensive defense coordination. Japan hosts US military facilities and contributes to their support, while the United States provides treaty-based security commitments. The relationship also includes deep economic ties, alongside periodic trade disputes and disagreements over the burden and local effects of US military presence.
Areas of tension
- Trade disputes, including recurring disagreements over market access and trade policy.
- Disagreements over the costs and distribution of support for US forces in Japan.
- Local opposition and disputes concerning the effects of US military facilities, particularly in Okinawa.
Key developments
Japan and the United States signed the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security, establishing the framework for their postwar security alliance.
The two governments signed the agreement providing for the reversion of Okinawa to Japanese administration.
Japan and the United States issued revised Guidelines for Japan-US Defense Cooperation, expanding the framework for alliance coordination.
Major uncertainties
- The future scale and distribution of US forces and facilities in Japan may change.
- The extent to which Japan's defense role and alliance contributions will expand remains subject to policy decisions.