The depth and breadth of defense cooperation between Washington and Tokyo since Sept. 11, 2001 have been unprecedented. We have gone from Japan “bashing” and Japan “passing” to Japan “surpassing” as Tokyo in recent years has generally not only met but exceeded Washington’s expectations. While Japan may not yet be the “U.K. of Asia,” as once envisioned by former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage, it is not too far a stretch to call Japanese Prime Minister Koizumi Junichiro Asia’s answer to Tony Blair.