“The 1960 Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan is a powerful contract that has stood the test of time. It underpins the stability that has enabled the extraordinary prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region. It is the foundational document of a strong alliance rooted in shared values, democratic ideals, and respect for human rights, the rule of law, and open markets. These deep roots and common interests have generated strong and enduring bipartisan support for the alliance in both countries.
“But ultimately, the foundation of the alliance is not a document; it is the trust between the two nations and their citizens. Such trust was in short supply in 1960. The revised security treaty had a baptism by fire — challenged at the outset by fears among Japanese that Japan would be dragged into conflicts by the United States — fears that forced then-Prime Minister Nobusuke Kishi, Shinzo Abe’s grandfather, to resign…”