This report discusses issues regarding U.S.-Japan economic relations. Japan is a significant partner of the United States in a number of foreign policy areas, particularly in U.S. security priorities, which range from hedging against Chinese military modernization to countering threats from North Korea.

This report addresses the September 1, 2008, resignation of Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the resulting aftermath. It also addresses the September 22 Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) election of Fukuda's successor and the widely expected winner of said election, ex-Foreign Minister Taro Aso. Japanese policymaking is likely to enter a period of disarray, which could negatively affect several items of interest to the United States. This report analyzes the factors behind and implications of Japan's current political turmoil.

Interview with Ira Allen Brown, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served as an intelligence analyst in Iraq post September 11th. Brown describes his time in basic training, moving up the ranks, and his experiences in the service.

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Interview with Alf Klaveness, a commanding officer on the destroyer USS Benham. Klaveness begins by discussing his family history after coming here from Norway and working for John Rockefeller; he answers questions about his role in the Navy and describes being in Tokyo Bay during the surrender of Japan on the USS Missouri.

This report provides a snapshot of U.S.-Japan relations, current economic and security challenges facing Japan, and policies being adopted or considered to deal with them.

Interview with Paul F. Lemmon, a fireman in the US Navy during WWII. He answers questions about his life prior to enlisting and his experience overseas.

Transcript of an interview with Harry C. Strawn, Army Air Forces veteran (31st Fighter Group, 12th Air Force; and 413th Fighter Group, 14th Air Force), concerning his experiences as a fighter pilot in the European, Mediterranean, and Pacific Theaters during World War II. Appendix includes the introduction to "In a now forgotten sky: the 31st fighter group in WW2" by Dennis C. Kucera.

There have been varying estimates of the number of U.S. automobile dealerships that would be affected by the Administration's recently announced plan to impose a 100-percent tariff on imported Japanese luxury automobiles. This report examines the assumptions which result in some of the differences. also provides a State-by-State estimate of numbers of dealers potentially affected if the higher tariffs are imposed.

Japan-U.S. relations are more uncertain and subject to greater strain today than at any time since World War II. Longstanding military allies and increasingly interdependent economic partners, Japan and the United States have worked closely together to build a strong, multifaceted relationship based on democratic values and interests in world stability and development. But Japan today is our foremost economic and technological competitor. The Cold War thaw, discord in U.S.-Japanese relations over the Iraq-Kuwait crisis of 1990-1991, a protracted U.S. recession, and exigencies of U.S. election-year politics raised new questions about the appropriate U.S. policy toward this Asian ally.

Photograph used for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "General Motors Chairman Roger Smith, right, shakes hands with Isuzu Motors President Toshio Okamoto prior to start of a joint news conference in Tokyo Thursday."

Audio interview with Eldridge Rayburn, a veteran of the Texas National Guard from Lubbock, Texas, about his experiences as a member of the "Lost Battalion" captured at Java in 1942 by the Japanese army during World War II. Rayburn discusses his memories of being in a Field Artillery unit, a prisoner of war, and surviving.

Newsletter written for supervisors working at the Convair Division in Fort Worth containing news about events and activities, workplace reminders, and other relevant information.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about United states and japan who have agreed on the idea of joints to help develop Siberian oil and gas resources to construct enriched uranium plants.

Photograph taken for a newspaper owned by the Oklahoma Publishing Company. Caption: "Amos M. Fishback (right) of Oklahoma City, Okla., receives the insignia of his new rank of major for Colonel Vern Walbridge, post commander of the Eta Jima Specialist School, at a ceremony in Japan."

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story about the arrest of an anarchist in Germany, the arrest of a man in Japan for a Tel Aviv massacre, and Luis Echeverría visiting the United States.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.

Script from the WBAP-TV/NBC station in Fort Worth, Texas, relating a news story.