Now that the Biden administration is in place and China is increasingly pushing harder, Japan seems more willing to join the United States in its unsupported criticism of China’s actions.
Defense Minister Kishi said Japan’s actions to escalate tensions in the East and South China Seas were “completely unacceptable” to Japan and indicated that they were violating international law.
Yet Japan’s foreign minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, was no less critical of China.
While Mr Blink explicitly allied himself with the military in China and Myanmar, he said it was a threat to “democracy, human rights and the rule of law.” He said he welcomed the alliance for its role in safeguarding “peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific”.
Analysts said Japan could anger its language because it would have to lose more than it did with China.
“One of the big differences is their economic relations with China,” said Narushig Mishishita, vice president of the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies in Tokyo. “When the U.S. Can live without China, Japan cannot. They have to find a common ground there. ”
The high-level visit from Washington to Washington was intended to remind Japan that it has a common ground with the United States. It was the first official trip abroad for both Mr Blinken and Mr Aust Stein, then repeated several times on Tuesday for the Biden administration to assure Japan of its value.
Alliance with Japan Never before has so much damage been done under the Trump administration. Mr. Abe maintained a close relationship with Mr. Trump and hosted him for two visits to Japan. Last October, when then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met with Prime Minister Yoshihid Suga, the two exchanged a handful of bumps that lasted 15 seconds.
On Tuesday, when Mr. Suga met Mr. Aust Stein and Mr. Blinken at their official residence, they all bowed – as is the custom in Japan.
Makiko Inoi The report from Tokyo contributed, and Steven Lee Myers From Sol.
