Both governmental and non-governmental agencies from America had a strong interest in Japan as a former enemy and potentially strong friend, a possible cradle of democracy in Asia, and a political experiment. Saeki (history and political science, U. of North Alabama) closely examines the efforts to build pro-American sentiment in Japan after World War II, a challenge on many levels, not the least of which was the Cold War. She concentrates on events and relations of the 1950s and 1960s, particularly the early efforts of the US to promote its own brand of democracy, in such projects as the Perry Centennial in 1953 which celebrated American's "opening" of Japan. Her work on the cultural exchange programs of the period is exceptionally perceptive, as is her commentary on conditions in Okinawa and the humiliating cancellation of Eisenhower's visit in 1960. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)