eli5: How Did Japan and America Go From Enemies to Allies So Quickly?

Question

I’m trying to wrap my head around how the USA and Japan shifted from being fierce enemies during World War II to becoming close allies in just a few decades. It seems like a huge turnaround in international relations from an American perspective. What happened and why this dramatic change?

In: Other

Answer 1

• 1. The USA aided Japan’s reconstruction, fearing Soviet expansion or rather to keep them in check.

• 2. Shared interests and mutual concerns about communism solidified the relationship too perhaps.