US AND JAPAN RELATIONS AND THEIR IMPACT ON THE ASIA -PASIFIC REGION

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Prof. Dr. Lee Poli Ping Assoc. Prof. Dr. M.Sami Denker

The United States and Japan arc two countries of immense strategic and economic significance to the Asia-Pacific region. With a combined gross national product equivalent to more than 80 % of the regional total, these two economic superpowers constitute the primary markets and the biggest sources of investment and aid(l). Japan in particular dominates in trade and investment, and provides a market big enough to absorb 42% of all Indonesian exports. The U.S. market is bigger still, accounting for about a third of Taiwan's exports and a similar share from other countries. The Asia-Pacific nations depend on Japan and the United States to a large degree, and any adverse developments to the economies of these two powerhouses would strongly affect the regional drive toward modernisation and stability.

At present regional stability is guaranteed by the American strategic commitment. If this were to be withdrawn, the absence of real trust