[tangomike]

i gotcha.

Allowing Japan a standing military doesnt mean the USA has to give up its bases and position in Japan. it would just be an addition of a strong ally.

Its the Japanese constitution that forbids a standing army and the right to declare war. The USA has no say in if they can have a army or not, thats in the hands of the Japanese. If they were to vote re-instatement of the Army I'm pretty sure the USA is still entitled to keep its bases on Japanese soil as part of the military alliance they are a part of.