U.S.-Asia Relations | Asian American Poll

U.S.-ASIA RELATIONS
(Updated 5/24/01 to reflect the 100 most recent responses.)

Which of the following nations will be the U.S.'s most important Asian diplomatic partner in the 21st century?
China | 21%
Taiwan | 28%
Corea | 23%
Japan | 27%

Which of the following should be the U.S.'s top Asia-policy objective?
Keep China from attacking Taiwan | 26%
Promote peaceful reunification of Corea | 23%
Keep Japan from becoming a military power | 24%
Bring home all U.S. troops stationed on Asian soil | 27%

Comments on the U.S.'s Asia policy:

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What You Say

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Never Never re-arm Japan. That's the worst idea I've heard on this website.
Milly

Cyn, did you used to work at one of those virtual reality arcades - Battletech?

Actually, given how China has been behaving recently, I don't know that it's such a bad idea to re-arm Japan. No, Japan isn't always the most trustworthy of nations, but they do not trust China, nor does China trust Japan. I think everyone will be better off if their mutual distrust can be played off each other.

To the person saying the US and Japan don't want asian union. Then why did the USA denounce the books?
Cyn

I've heard Japan is talking about expanding it's military. I pray this isn't true. Especially given their refusal to change their schoolbooks this year!
worried korean chic

     Again I'm saddened to see that leftist ideology has seeped into the minds of many Asian Americans. This terrible country that many of your parents went through tremendous trouble to come to and begin new lives in is apparently one that's not worth defending.
     Actually, there is a very legitimate reason for US interest in Asia. Since the very beginning of this Republic, it has been the most fundamental premise of American foreign policy to maintain a balance of power in the littoral regions that face the United States. In 1776, that meant Europe, since the US only consisted of the Atlantic coast. The U.S. has sought to maintain a balance of power there so that no single power can come to dominate the region, consolidate its power, and then turn its attention against the United States.
     Once America reached the Pacific, this philosophy was extended to East Asia. America doesn't seek to dominate just for the sake of dominating. As in Europe, America seeks to maintain the balance of power among China, Japan, Russia, India, etc. so that no single power in the region can come to dominate. If so, they can then consolidate their power and turn their (potentially aggressive) attention against the U.S.
     Ultimately, it's just about protecting the homeland, something every country has a right to do. All you cynics who see racism behind every corner just need to grow up.
Kor-Am 26

     To amerpriest:
     Although I realize that other countries, including Asian countries, have their prejudices, it's disappointing to experience these sentiments in the land of the free.
     I was lucky enough to grow up in a small Midwestern town among the warmest people (most of them happened to be white). I try to remind myself of their kindness in times of disappoinment and frustration due to racism, etc., so that I won't "seek the darkness".
     Still, when problems occur that most others are blind to, it is hard to see anything but darkness.
Catholic Asian-American

The Japanese books are an attempt to further fragment Asia as an economic union. Neither Japan nor the U.S. want Asian cohesion in the region.

Oops, Wrong spelling.. I meant Corean-Australian.. Sorry
Dong-Jun Ha

     As a white Scotch-Irish/German heritage American citizen of more than middle age, I find many of the comments on this page naive to the point of absurdity. I have been around the world, and have encountered prejudice wherever I have gone; I have encountered no prejudice-free society, especially in Asia where tribal and national sentiments in the past have made the ante-bellum American South seem downright gentlemanly.
     The strength of the United States has always been an ability to include people from elsewhere in the national prosperity; no one group exemplifes this in modern times more than Asian-Americans. The rising incidence of victimology in this community in the larger US community is troubling to many of us who have always admired the virtues of Asian-American families. This phenomenon is present on this page.
     I've got good news for you all; the vast majority of Americans are simply interested in getting along with their neighbors. Every society has people from that other group who find only adversaries in those who are different. Life is too short to seek the darkness when there is so much light out there. I do not minimize the problems; they are there, but spending energy complaining does nothing for anyone. Good luck.
amerpriest

From an american who lived in Japan,Korea, I do agree with the fact that the intention of the U.S. prescence in Asia is to strengthen its partial hold on the world, It is getting to the point that no one wants the american military prescence on their land and I do not blame them. When the americans say that they are just protecting the land area, I do not believe that for one second, Even with the issue of China, We now have a president who seems bent on just about wanting a war wit China calling them the new threat. I pray for peace but all the man will want is war.
Chester
chester500_2000@yahoo.com

The people of Asia are concerned about the distortion of truth in the new Japanese history textbooks, which were recently authorised by the Ministry of Education. These books attempt to cover up, denie, and even justify some of the most horrific crimes against humanity that the world has ever witnessed during the WW2. The people of Asia demand a halt to the insults that Japan is inflicting not only on the victims and survivors of war crimes, but also to the humanity as a whole that has the right to know the truth. For more information about Japanese war crimes visit the websites at: http://www.skycitygallery.com/japan/japan.html and, http://www.kimsoft.com/kr-japan.htm
Thank you very much for your interest.
Dong-Jun Ha, Korean-Australian, d-j-ha@hanmail.net

As a U.S. citizen, I probably wouldn't care about U.S. presence overseas (especially in Asia) - were it not for the evident racism towards Asians in the U.S. Because of this, I am also suspicious of the U.S. intentions in Asia.

Bush and Republicans don't want Corea to be unified. They do not want Taiwan to be part of China. It's the whole "divide and conquer" mentality. And while they're at it, they can sell alot of weapons - all in the name of it being for "Asia's own good". It's just evil and U.S. citizens are blind to it.

US-japan relations is a joek. The Japanese are still an occuppied nation, serving as a gigantic aircraft carrier for the US. And who do you think the aircraft carrier is there to fight?

I am suspicious about Bush's intentions toward Corea. Does he think that if Corea unites, the U.S. will be kicked out and will therefore lose influence in Asia? The Republicans have a lot of vested interest in maintaining a cold-war mentality toward Asia. Without the Corean division, there would no longer be U.S. bases in Corea.
Suspicious Cor-Am

The U.S. has two items on their agenda regarding Asians: 1. Containing Asian countries; 2. Maintaining anti-Asian/anti-Asian-American sentiment in the U.S. I.e., They hate Asians.

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