Facets of the U.S.–Japan Relationship:
The Military Alliance
The relationship today appears to be more durable than it ever has in the past. But as history has demonstrated, there always remains the possibility that the pendulum might swing again.
–Peter Duus
Working in groups, your class will research and learn about six different facets of modern U.S.–Japan relations and assess how they affect the overall relationship between the two countries.
Your group’s topic is the U.S.–Japan military alliance.
Conduct research into your topic, focusing on the research questions provided below. Then prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the rest of the class.
Research Questions
Use the questions below to guide your research and structure your presentation.
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What is the history of the U.S.–Japan military alliance? How did it come about?
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What is the current status of the military alliance?
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Where are the U.S. military bases in Japan located? What controversies has U.S. military presence caused there? What are the costs and benefits of this arrangement for both countries?
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What does it involve (e.g., joint military exercises, sharing of resources, commitments, strategic consultation, etc.)? Give specific examples.
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Professor Duus lists the following as key themes in the U.S.–Japan relationship: friendship and hostility, conflict and cooperation, admiration and criticism, interdependence and rivalry, war and peace. What themes are most relevant to your topic, and why?
Assessment
Your research and presentation will be graded using the following criteria:
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clarity of presentation;
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thoroughness and relevance of research to the research questions;
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thoughtful analysis of the role your “facet” plays in the overall U.S.–Japan relationship; and
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even distribution of researching and presenting responsibilities among group members.
