Japan’s Strategy to Equalize American Power in Japan – U.S. Global Partnership Under Shinzo Abe Administration

This undergraduate thesis explores how Japan's strategy under Shinzo Abe equalizes American power in the Japan-US alliance. Since the World War II became the starting point of Tokyo – Washington alliance, Japan has reaped a variety of advantages under the American umbrella and is often referred to as a free-rider. The author conducts qualitative analysis to assess the facts and data is gathered through library research. Given the changing nature of the Tokyo-Washington alliance in the face of many Japanese Prime Minister, challenges such as China's rise and North Korean missiles, opportunities such as Donald Trump's instability and Abe's ambition will usher in a new phase of the alliance. Japan's desire to step away from the shadow of the United States has increased under Shinzo Abe's leadership, encouraging Japan to become the initiator and leader in the region. Abe's initiative is creating the Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP), allowing Japan to become the initiator and leader in the region.