The Japanese-Chinese security relationship is one of the most important variables in the formation of a new strategic environment in the Asia Pacific region which has not only regional but also global implications. The book investigates how and why since the 1990s China turned in the Japanese perception from a benign neighbour to an ominous chalenge with implications not only for Japan's security, but also its economy, role in Asia and identity as the first developed Asian nation. Japan's reaction to this challenge has been a policy of engagement which consists of political and economic enmeshment of China, hedged by political and military power balancing. Copyright (C) Muze Inc. 2005. For personal use only. All rights reserved.