WASHINGTON-The Japan-U.S. joint statement on security did not contain any wording that would cause immediate concern. But it does lay the foundation for a major shift in bilateral cooperation, and controversies could erupt in Japan as a result.

The common strategic objectives, agreed upon by the Cabinet ministers in charge of foreign policy and defense for Japan and the United States, set the stage for a strengthened military alliance beyond just the Asia-Pacific region.

Transforming the U.S. military in Japan and the related effects on the Self-Defense Forces will not be the only topic of future discussions between the two nations. Officials will also focus on the manner in which closer cooperation can be realized between the two sides in tackling defense and security issues around the globe.

The American representatives of the Security Consultative Committee, more commonly called the ``two-plus-two'' meeting, made clear in the news conference following Saturday's discussions that Japan would be asked to play a much more important role.

``We are proud of this longstanding alliance,'' said U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. ``It has been a good alliance that has provided peace and security in the region. But we are by no means resting on our laurels. We understand that alliances have to be improved every day, and that was the purpose of our meeting.''

U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld concurred. He said, ``Today's meetings were an opportunity to continue the momentum towards strengthening and transforming this important alliance.''

Within the global transformation of its military following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, the United States has begun to focus on homeland defense. To maintain the global presence of the U.S. military, more is being asked of its alliance partners, particularly Japan.

In the words of Rumsfeld, Japan is considered a ``key pillar of peace and stability in the Asian-Pacific region.''

Since the region contains potential hot spots in the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait, the United States feels the need to strengthen that pillar.

Part of that strategy includes plans to realign the U.S. military presence in Japan.

The road map for such a transformation contains three stages.

The first is the now-completed compilation of common strategic objectives in the two-plus-two meeting to form the foundation for future negotiations.

Talks will now turn to reviewing the role, duties and capabilities of the U.S. military and the SDF, representing the second stage of the transformation process.

One of the strategic objectives agreed upon was enhancing cooperation between Japanese and U.S. forces. A prime example of that goal is putting together a seamless operation of the missile defense system.

Defense Agency Director-General Yoshinori Ono said Saturday that cooperation ``would cover a wide range, including the gathering, sharing and analysis of information.''

An extension of that process will be joint usage of bases in Japan. Japanese officials are hoping that joint use will lead to a reduced U.S. military presence in Japan.

Discussions on reviewing which U.S. bases are maintained would represent the third and final stage of the bilateral military transformation.

Regardless of how much the U.S. side calls for an expanded SDF role in global terms, the Japanese side will raise political and constitutional issues concerning the limits of SDF action.

In that vein, Japanese officials had insisted that any military transformation be contained within the framework of the Japan-U.S. Security Treaty.(IHT/Asahi: February 22,2005)