2010 marks the 50th anniversary of the revision of the U.S.-Japan Security Treaty, making Japan one of the United States's longest and most important military allies. Over 40,000 US troops are based in Japan, as is the only U.S. aircraft carrier based outside the United States, the "USS George Washington." Japan possesses one of the world's largest economies and strongest military forces, and as a result, its national security policies and institutions are highly significant--not just to America, but to the rest of the global community as well.

This book provides an overview of Japan's...