pan's reliance on the American nuclear and conventional military umbrella for its defense enabled it to create through forced savings and a remarkably disciplined effort by the entire population enormous industrial and financial wealth and power. By 1993-1994, Japan's GNP per head, $31,450, was only two tenths of one percent less than that of the United States.
Even before the demise of the Soviet Union as a superpower, Japan began to assert itself more forcefully as a world power and to redefine its strategic role in the world. One factor behind this development was increasing trade friction with its principal trading partner, the United States. By 1994, its trade surplus with the United States had reached $145.8 billion, resulting in a tremendous revaluation of the yen in relation to the dollar. The American government came under strong pressure to take a tougher stance with Japan in trade negotiations. Japan-bashing became popular in American circles. Some Americans began to perceive Japan as a potential military as well as an econ
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