August 31, 2009

Daniel Sneider talks about Japan's political changes and the historic August 30 election

Political analysts expect Japan to remain a close American ally, but one that is more assertive and less willing to follow Washington's lead automatically. "This is what happens when you have a government in Japan that must be responsive to public opinion," said Daniel Sneider, a researcher on East Asia at Stanford University. "It will end the habits from decades of a relationship in which Japan didn't challenge the United States."

• » NY Times: "With Bold Stand, Japan Opposition Wins a Landslide"