Except the US can't afford for the Far East to turn into the Middle East. The US needs to have not just Japan, but also South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, the Philipines, etc. in its sphere of influence, not China's, if it wants to contain China. Also, I'm not sure that Japan sees its relations with the US in quite the same way that Israel does.
Forget South Korea. That's just the France of the far east.
Forget Indonesia. That's 98% radical Islamics, working on ethnically cleansing the 2% Christians from their islands. The US would have about as much chance as getting Indonesia on its side as it would Iran. Remember the Tsunami? How grateful was Indonesia for US aid?
The Philippines, maybe. They kicked the US out of their bases there, but they need help fighting of the Islamofacists.
Thailand, not much of chance. They just had a military coup and installed a Muslim PM, and the Islamofacsits are advancing from the south.
Taiwan, yes. That's another country without allies. Vulnerable and nobody will stick up for them because if you do, you invite powerful enemies. It's sort of like being friends with Israel. Say something bad about both countries and hopefully China and the Islamofascists will leave you alone.