U.S.-Japan Relations

The article by Prof. Nobua Noda, “Ideas, Not Technologies, Will Win” (Commentary, Sept. 30), overlooks one very important factor in the U.S.-Japan relationship. His thesis is based on the assumption of Japan’s continued need for American markets. Japan is no longer wholly dependent on American markets. The Japanese have sent their manufacturing and marketing experience into Asia and set the groundwork for their release from dependence on American markets. In the near future, they will be able to use this new position to bargain from a more powerful position with our government.

I do not believe, as Noda, that Japan will find itself cut off from foreign markets if it challenges the U.S. The Japanese can afford to walk away from our markets with the confidence in knowing that the world does not revolve around America.

M.J. KIMBALL

Mission Viejo