U.S. Frets over Tokyo's Drift

As Japan's Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks of the need for change, and signals his desire to forge a more robust partnership with China to create a viable East Asian "community", he must remain in close contact with fellow Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) members, other members of his new coalition government and Japan's military - known as the Self-Defense Forces (JSDF).

The United States will also need to be informed of exactly where things stand as Hatoyama tries to find a way "to show that he changed course on the alliance - creating more 'independence' for Japan without actually doing any damage to the security relationship that guarantees Japan's survival in a dangerous neighborhood", according to Michael Green, senior adviser and Japan Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC.