In an era of intense focus on China's economic strength, Michael H. Armacost, who served as U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 1989 to 1993, speaks with Stanford Magazine about the U.S. preoccupation with Japan during the 1980s and 90s. He describes U.S. perceptions of and economic policy toward Japan, telling a cautionary tale about currency revaluation. Armacost also offers insight into the probability of the Six Party Talks convincing North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons program.