ABSTRACT
The president’s policy to withdraw ground forces from the Republic of Korea disturbed allies in East Asia, especially when interpreted as part of American separation from Asia. Japanese newspapers saw other evidence that the US was to change strategy toward East Asia. It was suggested that Carter was prepared to tolerate a tilt in the balance of power in the Soviet’s favor, at least in East Asia. Amid these growing doubts, Secretary of Defense Harold Brown attempted to define the US government’s new Asian strategy. The USSR was simultaneously increasing military strength in East Asia, and some Japanese feared a tipping of the regional balance of forces. If the American withdrawal went ahead, it was speculated that Japan might rearm on a large scale. The US complained about Japan’s “free ride” in defense, but few wanted a remilitarized Japan.
