While the China factor, particularly its assertive and expansionist policies on a host of regional issues, and North Korea’s nuclear and missile development programmes are perennial issues of concern for the rest of the Northeast Asian region, two countries – Japan and South Korea – still continue to carry hangover of the war issues. Despite the fact that both are allies of the US, the past continues to haunt their present relationships. Time and again, the US has played the role of peace mediator but still mutual suspicion and accusations continue.