Publication

This brief talks about ROK-Japan relations and South Korea’s fear of increased Japanese military capabilities as well as US endorsement of an expansion of Japan's role in regional security. The author argues that South Korean concerns are misguided and states that Tokyo’s call for an increased defense budget are aimed at North Korea and not the South. She claims that South Korea, Japan and the US have to take several steps to mend ROK-Japan relations and increase their levels of security cooperation.