[Seanus]

What realistic prospect is there of China attacking Japan? What major conflicts could provoke the Chinese? South Korea almost gave the North a pretext in siding with the US over ship inspections. North Korea, however, isn't as central as Iran when discussing the nuclear issue. If it was, we'd have reacted to it having the desire to use nukes long ago. They are posturing and America knows that. Remember, the tension must be maintained and it's all a game designed to make certain people a lot of money.

The umbrella, for all its ostensible intrusiveness, is an effective deterrent in modern times.