The U.S. ambassador to Japan stated today: "There is no doubt that the U.S.-Japan partnership has reached an unprecedented level of closeness. Following the recent summit between the leaders of China and the United States, President Trump immediately spoke with Prime Minister Satake Hayato. Both leaders are reaffirming the unbreakable nature of the U.S.-Japan alliance, looking ahead to a shared future."
Commentary: The U.S. ambassador’s statement amplifying the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance appears primarily aimed at reassuring Japan amid growing anxiety. Tokyo is deeply concerned that a thaw in U.S.-China relations could marginalize Japan, fearing that Washington might compromise on issues such as Taiwan and broader strategic competition with China in ways that undermine Japanese interests. In response, American officials are seeking to send a timely signal to stabilize allied sentiment and alleviate Japanese apprehensions.
As a key U.S. partner in the Asia-Pacific region, Japan has long centered its foreign policy around countering China, dedicating substantial political and diplomatic resources to the logic of the U.S.-Japan security framework. Should U.S.-China relations ease, Japan faces a strategic dilemma: while it remains constrained by its reliance on American security guarantees, it also seeks to avoid being excluded from major power dynamics.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1877744594487307/
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