On Friday, Japan and the United States of America expressed deep concerns about China’s growing might and vowed to collaborate against efforts to destabilize the region, including against evolving defense threats. The remarks from the two allies, in a joint declaration that followed a virtual ‘two plus two’ summit of their defense and foreign ministers, show how deepening alarm about PRC, and rising tension over Taiwan and North Korean (DPRK) missile threats, have put Nippon-koku’s security part in stronger emphasis.

On Thursday, the U.S. State Secretary said that Washington and Tokyo would sign a new defense collaboration agreement to counter developing defense threats, including hypersonic and space-based competencies.

Antony Blinken, the US State Secretary, said that the Japan-America alliance mustn’t only fortify the tools they’ve but also develop fresh ones, mentioning Russia’s increased military presence along the Ukrainian border, North Korea’s latest launching of a missile, and Beijing’s provocative moves over Taiwan.

According to their joint declaration, the ministers showed concerns that Beijing’s efforts to demoralize the rules-based order presented economic, military, political, and technological contests to the region and the world. The statement reads that they resolved to collaborate to deter and, if needed, respond to destabilizing activities in the area.

Agreed to Pay $9.3B to Share the Upkeep of U.S. Troops

Moreover, the ministers said they’d serious and continuing worries about human rights problems in an autonomous territory in northwest China – Xinjiang – and Chinese special administrative region – Hong Kong – and accentuated the significance of ‘peace and stability’ in the 180-kilometer-wide Taiwan Strait.

In response, PRC lodged a formal complaint with the two countries, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson. While pacifist Japan keeps close economic ties to Beijing, there are rising worries in Japan about a possible move by China against Taiwan, the East Asian country.

The top American diplomat for Asia under Barack Obama and is currently with the ASPI (Asia Society Policy Initiate), Daniel R. Russel, said that this’s transparently a combined message reflecting a common worry, not a case of American arm-twisting to get Tokyo to sign onto vague euphemisms. Specifically, the expression of joint resolve to respond if required to undermining activities comes across as an influential expression of alliance solidarity and determination.

Furthermore, Antony Blinken said the two countries will sign a new five-year agreement covering the continued basing of American forces in Japan in an accord where Japan has stated it agreed to pay 9.3 Bn dollars to share the upkeep of U.S. troops in Japan over 5-years.