It does sound a tad surprising to me that Japan may break away from the American sphere of influence. Looking forward to a possible Japan-US 'showdown' if this opportunity arises.
Everything has a time and a purpose, America's close relationship with Japan had led to the realization of democratic values and a representative style of government that had been more transparent, structured in the old Imperial customs. One can say that post-war Japan (1950s,1960s) had focused on internal development as there was less emphasis on militarized protection and security issues --- as most of the Japanese overseas territories were lost. So, that is a good thing. Second, it has only been recently that Japanese have taken a more proactive position in terms of external defense and external mobilization, which is a right of any nation actually. Japan is capable of defending itself from any threat and there really is no exigent threat (sans North Korea) to Japan.
Its in my position that Japan can maintain some sort of fond relationship with the United States without having to sacrifice the potential to build on a security pact with Russia, the People's Republic of China and even South Korea. In fact it is the most practical (not the easiest i must say) thing to do --- and I think without American pressures and meddling of Washington state actors -- Japan could have realized a regional defense pact or regional economic community years if not decades ago.
Nevertheless , we are stand now here at the crossroads of the future , the potential to build on what we have done, and to look at the horizon of cooperation with the greater Northeast Asian Economic Community (Japan, Korea, China, Russia).
To put it short, I am of the opinion that a non-aligned Japan would be best for the Asia-Pacific region and the world.
Trust me, my friend, Japan's Omnidirectionality posture was the state policy from 1950s till the late 1970s. It was only recently in the late 1970s, early 1980s that the United States under Reagan had coaxed Japan to adopt its strategic visage under the pretense of the Soviet threat. This Soviet threat then later extended to the North Korean, then Chinese threat.
Japan under the previous prime ministers from 1950s till mid 1970s had planned for a strategic alliance with, don't be surprised buddy!, the Chinese State. Yes. This is no secret -- the goal was to ultimately forge a total , strategic alliance and network with the People's Republic of China.
That dream has since then been put on hold. It is on hold, it does not necessarily mean it is dead.
Nihonjin, you are very informative... You enlighten many of us here...,
this thread should be sticky so any development process can be update..
Please to any troller stop posting and dont derailed this thread further...
@Dzul , You're very welcome and Thank you for your kind words. If ever you have any questions for me, just tag me or feel free to message me in my profile wall. I will be more than happy to entertain any and all of your queries. Regards to you my friend!