[_debug_]

Japan does whatever the U.S. tells them to. Or else.

In general, considering the 8 U.S. military bases in Tokyo (not Japan, just Tokyo), and in particular, the 31000 sq metre military base in the centre of the city, in Roppongi (prime real estate worth at least $60 m, with a few military helicopters landing/taking off from there every day, and a lot more towards the weekend), IMHO, Japan is an occupied territory not too different from Afghanistan or Iraq. IMHO, the role of Japan in the scheme of things as designed by the US is to hold US debt, giving legitimacy to the piece of paper printed by the Treasury. The entire Toyota drama was about Japan trying to assert it's independence and not follow orders.

[daniel-cussen]

Oh, totally. You figure, first, that America doesn't have 50,000 soldiers there for no reason. No country has ever had soldiers in other countries for no reason.

The reason is that it's a vassal state, and the way it pays its tribute is, depending on how you want to look at it, by sending awesome manufactured goods over, or buying bad paper at high prices with its huge annual trade surplus. Cf Germany.

[_debug_]

"vassal state" Ha, been some time since I heard that phrase, thanks for that!

[etherael]

The Toyota drama you refer to sounds interesting, any chance of a link?

[_debug_]

Got that from someone whose family works in the CIA, no link.

Edit : Assuming you were not asking for proof, only information, see : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%932011_Toyota_vehicl.... Note that "After a 10 month search, NASA and NHTSA scientists found no electronic defect in Toyota vehicles. Driver error or pedal misapplication was found responsible for most of the incidents". But the dive in Toyota stock price, sales, and most importantly, brand image, was enough to send the message. Toyota stocked surged 20% after the then-Japanese PM resigned after his failure to get the US off of Okinawa.

[aubergene]

Interesting to read about the helicopter pad in Aoyama

http://wikileaks.org/cable/2009/11/09TOKYO2570.html

[Symmetry]

I can see what you're saying with regards to bases, but economically... do you remember the 80s?

[daniel-cussen]

Do you remember the 90s?