The Senkaku Islands Confirmed to be Within the Scope of Japan-US Cooperation

The Defense Ministers of Japan and the United States have confirmed that the Senkaku Islands, which are disputed between China and Japan, fall within the scope of their security treaty.

According to Nikkei Asia, during a recent telephone conference, Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and US Defense Secretary Pete Hegses reaffirmed that the Japanese-administered Senkaku Islands fall within the scope of the "Japan-US Security Treaty." This was their first conversation since Donald Trump became president, during which they discussed strengthening Japan-US security cooperation, particularly in Japan's southwestern region near Taiwan.

During the discussions, Nakatani also emphasized Japan's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities. The two leaders agreed on expanding multilateral cooperation and increasing defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Nakatani did not disclose specific requirements regarding national defense expenditure nor mention China but indicated that the conversation was friendly.

According to the report, this conversation provided reassurance to Japan regarding its concerns about China's activities around the Senkaku Islands. They are also preparing for the upcoming high-level meeting between Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Trump scheduled for February 7th, with Nakatani expressing hope for a face-to-face meeting in the United States.