One facet of the changing attitude toward Korea and whether to get involved was Japan. Especially after the fall of China to the Communists, U.S. East Asian experts saw Japan as the critical counterweight to the Soviet Union and China in the region. While there was no United States policy that dealt with South Korea directly as a national interest, its proximity to Japan increased the importance of South Korea. Said Kim: "The recognition that the security of Japan required a non-hostile Korea led directly to President Truman's decision to intervene... The essential point... is that the American response to the North Korean attack stemmed from considerations of US policy toward Japan." COUNT 4
QSN1 What country was believed to provide a counterbalance to China's and the Soviet Union's involvement in Korea? ANS1 Japan QSN2 Which President decided to intervene after realizing that Japan's security would be affected by the hostility in Korea? ANS2 President Truman QSN3 Why was South Korea important to the US? ANS3 US policy toward Japan QSN4 What affected America's response to the situation in South Korea? ANS4 US policy toward Japan