ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at what is meant by the "US pivot to the Asia-Pacific region" or the American "rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region". It addresses the significance of Japan's responses to this new US attitude. The chapter demonstrates that the US pivot or rebalancing to the Asia-Pacific region reflects a complex, prismatic US perspective on the Asia-Pacific region. It argues that the pivot represents a confluence of historical, contemporary and future concerns about US involvement and influence in the region. The chapter also argues that Abe's responses to the US pivot are consistent with post-Second World War security measures: the goal is to maintain Japan's very minimal defence contribution without jeopardizing the United States (US)-Japan alliance. Prime Minister Abe also informed President Barack Obama that Japan intended to revise the Guidelines for Japan-US Defence Cooperation to enhance the importance of the US-Japan alliance.
