For Japan to shake off its tag as 'the 51st' state of America, a certain number of tiffs are likely to occur between the two countries.

Friday 25th September, 04:24 AM JST

Kazuhiro Asano, a professor at Sapporo University, underscoring that it is time for the two countries to review and alter the bilateral framework. (Kyodo)

› Login to comment

4 Comments

CoolCali at 08:09 AM JST - 25th September

Ahem, 'professor' Asano, Japan is not the only country/territory to have the 51st state moniker. Get in line behind the likes of Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. Ever hear of those places? Tiffs? Bah! Once the newly formed government realizes what a bargain the US presence is in Japan, they'll quickly keep their mouths shut. Just for the sake of argument, where would Japan get the man/woman power, let alone the hardware, to make up for US troops that leave? Hmmm... maybe they can solve the homeless/freeter problem. And if we are talking international political clout, well, Japan can't even get it's act together with it's neighbors. Let's just mention the Korean-Japan and Russian-Japan island issues to illustrate the ineptitude of Japanese diplomacy. Sorry professor, but Japan needs to leave it's childish, immature 19th century mentality and get with the program before any dialog concerning the bilateral framework could take place.
2020hindsight at 11:09 AM JST - 25th September

Japan doesn't have the tag "51st state". It never did.
stirfry at 02:23 PM JST - 25th September

maybe he meant 55th state
jessssicaaa at 05:13 PM JST - 25th September

No.. this will never happen. EVER