US Reaffirms Japan's Defense Pledge Amid Rising China Tensions Over Senkaku & Taiwan Strait

US Reaffirms "Unwavering" Defense Pledge to Japan Amid Soaring China Tensions

The United States has once again affirmed its steadfast commitment to Japan's defense, reiterating the "unwavering" nature of their decades-old security treaty. This strong declaration comes at a time of heightened friction between Washington's key Asian ally and China, particularly concerning territorial disputes and regional stability.

Senkaku Islands: A Key Focus of the Treaty

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explicitly clarified via social media that the security treaty extends its protective umbrella to the Senkaku Islands. These islets, administered by Japan but claimed by China, are strategically located merely 170 kilometers from Taiwan, a self-governing island also claimed by Beijing.

China Intensifies Pressure on Japan Over Taiwan Remarks

Mr. Pigott's online statement was issued as China intensified its pressure on Japan. Beijing's ire was provoked by recent remarks from Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi concerning Taiwan. In response, China has deployed coast guard vessels to the waters around the uninhabited Senkaku islets, issued travel advisories, and initiated steps to suspend imports of Japanese seafood, signaling a significant escalation in the dispute.

US Upholds Indo-Pacific Peace and Security

Emphasizing the foundational role of the alliance, Mr. Pigott stated, "The US-Japan alliance remains the cornerstone of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific." He further underscored Washington's firm opposition to "any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, including through force or coercion, in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, or South China Sea." This statement reaffirms the US commitment to regional stability and international law.

Taiwan's Critical Role in Regional Geopolitics

While the US has been vocal in its support for regional stability, former President Donald Trump, following his late October meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, notably did not discuss Taiwan from a security standpoint with reporters. Meanwhile, China, which regards Taiwan as a breakaway province destined for reunification—by force if necessary—has considerably ramped up the scale and frequency of its military exercises around the democratic island.

Tensions reached a critical point after Prime Minister Takaichi's parliamentary declaration on November 7. Responding to an opposition lawmaker's hypothetical scenario, she asserted that a Chinese assault on Taiwan could constitute a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan, further fueling the regional geopolitical complexities and underscoring the interconnected security interests in the East Asian region.