Sheila A. Smith argues that tensions between Japan and China over disputed islands in the East China Sea could seriously harm U.S. interests. She discusses steps the United States could take to de-escalate the crisis.

Shelia Smith outlines the challenges facing Sino-Japanese diplomatic relations, particularly the territorial dispute in the East China Sea.

CFR Senior Fellow Sheila A. Smith argues that the time has come for Japan and the United States to set priorities for military missions, formalize mechanisms for crisis management coordination, and work toward a long-term basing strategy that consolidates U.S. and Japanese facilities.

Sheila A. Smith comments on the resignation of Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatayama.

Sheila A. Smith says that Japan must go beyond its commitment to reduce its own nuclear weapons and play a more active global role in persuading others to abandon their use.

President Obama's trip to Asia offers an opportunity for the United States to reshape its relationship with Japan in the face of "historic" political change, writes Sheila Smith.

Sheila A. Smith argues that Japan's foreign policy stance under the new Democratic Party of Japan leadership now tops the list of concerns in the United States and elsewhere.

Sheila A. Smith says that arguments portraying the new, leading Democratic Party of Japan as inexperienced are overstatements.

Issues such as the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and the growing relationship between the US and China have strained the US-Japanese alliance, writes Sheila Smith.

Moving beyond decades of hostility, Chinese and Japanese leaders are starting a new trend of goodwill between the two countries. This new attitude includes a move towards cooperating on issues such as climate change and security in Korean peninsula, writes Sheila Smith.

CFR's Japan expert Sheila Smith says U.S.-Japan relations remain important for both governments, but the issue of realigning U.S. military forces in Japan will continue to be a difficult challenge.

Ahead of September 22 elections that will anoint Japan's next prime minister, CFR's Sheila Smith discusses the country's leadership troubles, economic concerns, and a declining role on the international stage.

CFR Senior Fellow Sheila A. Smith argues that the time has come for Japan and the United States to set priorities for military missions, formalize mechanisms for crisis management coordination, and work toward a long-term basing strategy that consolidates U.S. and Japanese facilities.

Sheila A. Smith discusses the opportunities ahead for the United States and Japan before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs' Subcommittee on Asia.

CFR's Sheila Smith highlights the significance of the U.S.-Japan Summit as the first state visit by the Democratic Party's Prime Minister, Yoshihiko Noda, which features a broad agenda and comes at a time when both Prime Minister Noda and President Obama face political challenges domestically.

The earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan will have a severe, lasting impact on the Japanese economy, says CFR's Sheila Smith, Senior Fellow for Japan Studies.