Differences surface in US-Japan alliance over China's ADIZ

[xhw1986]

There are signs that Tokyo and its close ally Washington are increasingly out of sync in their dealings with Beijing, which established a new air defense identification zone over a disputed area of the East China Sea in late November, highlighting a divide in their response to China's rise.

China unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea on Nov. 23, covering disputed islands claimed by Beijing, Tokyo and Taipei, and requiring foreign aircraft traversing the area to identify themselves or face "emergency defensive measures."

The move initially drew condemnation from Washington and Tokyo, with each defiantly sending military aircraft into the area without notifying the Chinese authorities.

However, in a departure from its earlier stance, the US Department of State said on Nov. 29 it had recommended domestic airlines submit their flight plans when they enter the ADIZ in line with international conventions.

On Nov. 30, American, United and Delta announced they had followed the government's recommendation, while Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, made a point to clarify that the US government had not required them to do so and that Japan and the US were on the same page over the air zone issue.

Nevertheless, the Department of State announcement issued on the eve of Vice President Joe Biden's visit to China, Japan and South Korea has highlighted the deep and complex differences in how Washington and Tokyo conduct their relations with Beijing.

Japan has developed a general anxiety and vigilance with regards to China after the latter took over as the world's second-biggest economy in 2010. China's growing economic might and increased maritime assertiveness have prompted the leadership in Japan to seek a closer alliance with Washington.

The long-held belief in Japan that the country is the top US ally in Asia was also shaken after former US president Bill Clinton twice bypassed Tokyo on his visits to Beijing, sowing concerns that Washington might be considering a shift in its strategic deployment in the Asia-Pacific.

Abe has also become wary after President Barack Obama held a highly symbolic and personal meeting in California in June with China's new president, Xi Jinping, without following that with plans for a similar meeting with him.

While Japan believes the US should show full support to Japan over the disputed islands, known in Japan as the Senkaku and in China as the Diaoyu (Diaoyutai in Taiwan), Washington has chosen not to take a position on their sovereignty, though it recognizes Tokyo's administrative control over the uninhabited island chain.

The US has avoided a show of unconditional support to Japan because it believes it needs to work with China in dealing with trickier and more important global issues, such as the disarmament of North Korea's nuclear program, over which Beijing holds some sway.

 

[Fsjal]

Lol

Japan likes to suck up to US.

China is much more important than Japan.

 

[Zero_wing]

And you like to suck in general faker why not show your real colors you big @$$ faker

 

[faithfulguy]

There are signs that Tokyo and its close ally Washington are increasingly out of sync in their dealings with Beijing, which established a new air defense identification zone over a disputed area of the East China Sea in late November, highlighting a divide in their response to China's rise.

China unilaterally declared an air defense identification zone (ADIZ) over the East China Sea on Nov. 23, covering disputed islands claimed by Beijing, Tokyo and Taipei, and requiring foreign aircraft traversing the area to identify themselves or face "emergency defensive measures."

The move initially drew condemnation from Washington and Tokyo, with each defiantly sending military aircraft into the area without notifying the Chinese authorities.

However, in a departure from its earlier stance, the US Department of State said on Nov. 29 it had recommended domestic airlines submit their flight plans when they enter the ADIZ in line with international conventions.

On Nov. 30, American, United and Delta announced they had followed the government's recommendation, while Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, made a point to clarify that the US government had not required them to do so and that Japan and the US were on the same page over the air zone issue.

Nevertheless, the Department of State announcement issued on the eve of Vice President Joe Biden's visit to China, Japan and South Korea has highlighted the deep and complex differences in how Washington and Tokyo conduct their relations with Beijing.

Japan has developed a general anxiety and vigilance with regards to China after the latter took over as the world's second-biggest economy in 2010. China's growing economic might and increased maritime assertiveness have prompted the leadership in Japan to seek a closer alliance with Washington.

The long-held belief in Japan that the country is the top US ally in Asia was also shaken after former US president Bill Clinton twice bypassed Tokyo on his visits to Beijing, sowing concerns that Washington might be considering a shift in its strategic deployment in the Asia-Pacific.

Abe has also become wary after President Barack Obama held a highly symbolic and personal meeting in California in June with China's new president, Xi Jinping, without following that with plans for a similar meeting with him.

While Japan believes the US should show full support to Japan over the disputed islands, known in Japan as the Senkaku and in China as the Diaoyu (Diaoyutai in Taiwan), Washington has chosen not to take a position on their sovereignty, though it recognizes Tokyo's administrative control over the uninhabited island chain.

The US has avoided a show of unconditional support to Japan because it believes it needs to work with China in dealing with trickier and more important global issues, such as the disarmament of North Korea's nuclear program, over which Beijing holds some sway.

Its important for US to work with China in international issues like Iran nuclear disarmament or South Asian issues. But I doubt China has really any influence over NK as its so secluded.