The U.S. Policy towards U.S. Japan Security Cooperation Arrangements and its Impact on Sino-Japanese Relations

　　Abstract : Be it during the Cold War or after the Cold War, the U.S. policy towards Japan has always been founded on the security cooperation arrangements between the two states. At the end of the Cold War, the U.S.Japan security arrangements have faced very different strategic demands brought about by the changing global strategic environment. In response to these demands, Washington has pressured Tokyo to take up greater regional economic and military responsibilities. The pressure has since mounted further, especially after the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Taking that Japan’s reactions to the U.S. have strong bearings on Sino-Japanese relations, this turn in U.S. policy has been detrimental to Sino-Japanese relations. On the Japanese side, it has encouraged the growth of conservative nationalist element, leading to Japan’s push for constitutional revision to achieve the status of “normal state”; on the Chinese side, it raises China’s concern over the longterm strategic intents of the U.S.Japan alliance, and indirectly rouses Chinese nationalism against Japan. However, both Washington and Tokyo have realized that worsening SinoJapanese relations not only affects U.S.Japan relations, but also undermines the respective national interests of the U.S. and Japan. The U.S. policymakers now see the need to balance its policies towards China and Japan.