ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the nature of diverging Japan-US perceptual dynamics and the role in exacerbating the bilateral trade friction dilemma. The reduction of potentially harmful bilateral perceptual tendencies regarding Japan-US trade relations and the enhancement of stronger win-win relational characteristics and constructive approaches to conflict management. The role of perception in the creation and aggravation of conflictual bilateral dynamics needs to be further explored. The survey instrument would use the same basic format as the questionnaire of the study, and it would be administers to an equivalent sample of American and Japanese opinion leaders. The national leaders of Japan and the United States have yet to mutually agree on the diagnoses of chronic bilateral structural and trade disequilibria and effective policies to address the causes. Negative rhetoric, recriminations, and confrontations are likely to continue, perhaps escalate in the future unless mutual agreement can be reaches concerning the causes, consequences, and cures of the trade imbalances.
