A nuclear Japan would create instability and could easily lead to war in the region - possibly with Japan as the aggressor; at least that is what their neighbor

A nuclear Japan would create instability and could easily lead to war in the region - possibly with Japan as the aggressor; at least that is what their neighbors see. There is still great hatred and distrust of Japan in SK and China, in part because Japan never adopted Germany's overall rejection of and contrition for their WWII actions. For example, there's not an annual question of Germany's Chancellor paying respects at the graves of Nazi war criminals. The U.S.'s defense treaty with Japan is a cornerstone in keeping the region stable and safe - it takes the Japanese offensive military force off the table. Things are changing though: As nationalism is embraced and fanned by leaders, not just in the U.S. but in Japan, South Korea, and China; and as democracy is de-emphasized as a fundamental right and superior form of government and is treated more like just one alternative among many; the idea that peace and human rights are paramount is being pushed aside in favor of national power. We've seen that movie before, many times, and we know how it ends. Also, the U.S.'s foreign policy capability and credibility has suffered great blows around the world and in East Asia, under Bush and now under Trump. Can Japan and SK trust the U.S. to protect them - if not, their instability greatly increases. They must trust that the U.S. both decides to fulfill its promises (as the U.S. threatens to or does fail to meet its promises under other treaties and promises, from NATO to Paris to Iran to Syria to NAFTA to multilateral institutions), and to capably, effectively execute a major war (Congress' sequester has badly reduced military capability, Congress is unable to act, the Commander-in-Chief doesn't inspire confidence in an essential role, and the military's failures in low-end wars in Iraq and Afghanistan makes it look limited)? Also, the role of the U.S. is to provide stability and to support democracy and liberty, but those don't appear to be priorities for Bush and especially for Trump.