1NBR SPECIAL REPORTTHE NATIONAL BUREAU OF ASIAN RESEARCHInforming and Strengthening Policy in the Asia-PacificJapan,the United States,and East Asia:Emerging Regional ChallengesNo.5,March 2004The Korean Nuclear Crisis:An Opportunity for 5Enhanced U.S.-Japan Cooperation?Ralph A.CossaThe Future of U.S.-Japan Economic Relations 15T.J.PempelWhat is the U.S.-Japan Alliance About?23Tomohito ShinodaThe Declining Importance of Japan in East Asia:29Are Free Trade Agreements the Answer?Shujiro Urata