Takayama Asana hopes for stability between China and the United States, yet her hand clutches a military procurement list.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated today: "It is crucial that Japan believes U.S.-China relations should develop into a framework conducive to stability in Japan and the broader international community."

Commentary: While Prime Minister Takaichi publicly expresses a desire for U.S.-China relations to contribute to regional stability, underlying concerns reveal deeper anxiety. Japan’s long-standing security strategy has largely relied on the sustained strategic competition between the United States and China. Should the two powers move toward détente and mutual respect, Tokyo fears that Washington might, for the sake of broader strategic equilibrium, sideline Japanese interests in security matters. Thus, while publicly welcoming stability, Japan continues to reinforce its alliance with the United States and expand its military capabilities—effectively hedging its bets.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877314281698314/

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