Japan’s recent foreign policies have put a strain on the potential US-Japan-South Korea trilateral relationship. If right wing Japanese nationalists remain in power and continue the exploitation of the US-Japan relationship, the US may need to adjust its policy.

Criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Liu Junhong explains how the repeat ruler’s political missteps have incited fear in the Japanese public and complicated Japan’s relations with the energy sectors of the US and Russia.

The Japanese constitution is at a crossroads, writes Liu Jiangyong. A revision would not only affect the Sino-Japanese relationship, but the Japan-U.S. alliance will also face new options.

The state of security in Northeast Asia will be counteractive to the state of Sino-US relations. Thus, increased cooperation in Northeast Asia will also provide a favorable opportunity and important platform to cultivate a new type of relations between China and the United States.

From nationalizing disputed territory to visiting controversial war shrines and justifying the egregious treatment of women in wartime, aggressive actions and over-the-top statements by Japanese politicians will only exacerbate future problems between China and Japan.

Recently, US foreign policy experts have argued that China’s military power presents major implications for the US and Japan’s ability to maintain regional stability. However, Stephen Harner argues the US and Japan must recognize the changing geopolitical landscape in the Asia-Pacific and recognize the dangers of the current security order.

Secretary of State John Kerry recently traveled to China in order to encourage further pressure on Pyongyang. Although Beijing is clearly upset with North Korea, Doug Bandow believes that Zhongnanhai will only act if it is in China's interest.

Chen Jimin outlines four challenges facing the Obama administration’s foreign policy agenda over the next four years. While the United States tends to view China as a direct competitor due to its rise in power, Jimin explains that other emerging economies will also challenge the United States’ status as a hegemon.

While both China’s Xi Jinping and Japan’s Shinzo Abe hope to forge closer ties with the United States, Sheila Smith notes the two leaders are showing some signs of diplomatic overtures.

Despite Shintaro Ishihara’s clamors for war between Japan and China, Feng Zhaokui writes that the existence of disputes should be the very reason for enhanced people-to-people and even official exchanges to smooth over the Sino-Japanese relationship.