Japan feels itself caught between the reality of Chinese power and questions about U.S. commitments in East Asia.

US economy is so much dependent from China that I do not see them leaving a strategical platform there. But I think Japan should try to get it's independence, not only by counterbalancing US influence with Europe, but also by building it's own network of allies in the Asian region.

The USA will continue to maintain presence in the oil poor east asia until it has milked Japan AND Taiwan dry (extortion for alleged protection from the evil China) - then it will move on to Africa. Africa is perfect for US interventionism (meddling) as the continent is politically fractured and unstable.

Do NOT worry the US & many other countries Like Japan & will Protect it. IF china does anything dumb like start a War they will be SORRY they did. (seaforte) DUH! it has NO oil people can't use that excuse. Milked? WE are spending Billions each year protecting Japan, Japan SAVES Billions by not having a military. WATCH & LEARN Modern events!! china is already intervening in Africa eveywhere, companies, oil, & importing goods. building Business for the "benifit of Africans"

Frenchy92 said: "US economy is so much dependent from China that I do not see them leaving a strategical platform there. But I think Japan should try to get it's independence, not only by counterbalancing US influence with Europe, but also by building it's own network of allies in the Asian region."

@Frenchy92: You have it part right. The U.S. economy, is dependent on China, but it is very much a mutual dependence, as the Chinese economy is dependent on the U.S. as well.

seaforte03 said: "The USA will continue to maintain presence in the oil poor east asia until it has milked Japan AND Taiwan dry (extortion for alleged protection from the evil China) - then it will move on to Africa. Africa is perfect for US interventionism (meddling) as the continent is politically fractured and unstable."

@seaforte03: There are a few things wrong with your post. How is it extortion, when China clearly states, that they reserve the option to take back Taiwan by force. And exactly what, and how is the U.S. milking Taiwan dry? As for U.S. interventionism (meddling) in Africa, you're going to need to narrow it down a bit. Egypt is on the continent of africa, as well as Libya, and the U.S. has yet to intervene there. As far as your countries in West, and Central pretty much (Black) Africa the U.S. will not touch that region with a 10 foot pole, given it's history of slavery and the raping of the continent that it is already an accessory to. Why do you think the U.S. did next to nothing to stop the slaughtering going on in Rwanda in the '90s, and has basically done nothing in Sudan as well. A little knowledge in history would help some of the posters that want to spew their anti U.S. rhetoric/propoganda.

toguro at 05:37 AM JST - 10th March. As far as your countries in West, and Central pretty much (Black) Africa the U.S. will not touch that region with a 10 foot pole, given it's history of slavery and the raping of the continent that it is already an accessory to.

This is totally false. Under the right circumstances, U.S., China, and the Western companies will invest heavily on these areas. African oil production could rise by 4 to 6 million barrels a day in the next 10 to 15 years. In these scenarios, West Africa’s five key producing countries, Nigeria, Angola, Gabon, the Republic of Congo Brazzaville, and Equatorial Guinea, could see their combined production rise by 2 to 3 million barrels per day in the next 5 to 10 years and by 3 to 5 million barrels per day in the next 10 to 15 years.

@sfjp330

When I was responding to the remark/statement by seaforte03 "US interventionism (meddling)" I was interpreting that to mean on a military level, and not on a business/economic level as you are referring to. In that regard, I agree with you.