The extent to which Japan will improve its military forces in the next 10 years will determine the balance of power in Asia, if not in the world. Because of the close economic and security ties which the United States has with Japan, and because Japan is the lynchpin of the United States foreign policy in the Pacific, future US actions will have a substantial impact on Japanese-US relations. This monograph examines the major factors which may influence Japan's decision on how much to improve its military forces. (Modified author abstract)?291.

An updated edition of David Lu's acclaimed "Sources of Japanese History", this two volume book presents in a student-friendly format original Japanese documents from Japan's mythological beginnings through 1995. Covering the full spectrum of political, economic, diplomatic as well as cultural and intellectual history, this classroom resource offers insight not only into the past but also into Japan's contemporary civilisation. This volume covers from the late 18th century up to 1995. Three major criteria used in the document selection were that: the selection avoids duplication with other collections - 75% of the documents presented here are newly translated; a document accurately reflects the spirit of the times and the life-styles of the people; and emphasis is on the development of social, economic and political institutions.

Covering the full spectrum of political, economic, diplomatic as well as cultural and intellectual history, this classroom resource offers insight not only into the past but also into Japan's contemporary civilization. This volume (the second of two) covers from the late 18th century up to 1995.