Japan has over 160,000 active defence force members, a sizable air force, active and accomplished space, communications, and intelligence complex's, and one of the worlds largest navy's. All in all it is easily among the top 5 military's in the world and there are many who feel that if it were allowed to be more active, not to mention if it spent an amount of its GDP more consistent with the other world powers, it would be easily show itself to be number 2 behind the USA.
The US military is not in Japan to help the Japanese. It is one (along with Korea) the most valuable geopolitical positions in the world. America is there for America, along with virtually ever other military policy veiled in charitible motives taken by the US.
Also, the US has already moved a considerable amount of troops from their Asian positons to fight in Iraq, their continued presense is currently, and in forcasting the future, more an indication of tensions among/within Taiwan, China, and Korea (and to an extent Russia, but those days have mostly since passed) then it is about protecting Japan. Any build up of Japanese power and activity is more likely to actually increase the 'strain' on American forces then decrease it over the long term.
It was only ~14 years ago that America was actually terrified of the growing Japanese threat, post-cold war. Their aggressive trade based counter measures managed to curtail Japan's momentum of the '80's, and still has lingering effects today. America has definitely shown it prefers no nation be TOO strong for its own good (ie: being able to curtail US hegemoney), and only be 'powerful' as long as it is quiet and in step.
Again, i think this is yet another intriguing development in the whole 'China story'. Not only how Japan will react but in looking at America's history, how it is going to react. Is America really willing to share power with ANY nation? Even a liberal-democratic one?
Claeren.
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