US Afraid: Warns Shinzo Abe Not To Offend China

The United States expressed concern over Japan’s plan to strengthen its military forces against neighboring countries, even asking Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to carefully consider the negative consequences that such policy changes would bring to neighboring countries. In addition, the United States asked Japan to disclose the extent of its military expansion against neighboring countries, encouraging it at the same time not to cause already tense relations with China and South Korea to deteriorate.

U.S. officials also privately expressed concern about Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s remarks about a Japanese “war” of aggression, which has angered neighboring countries, especially China and South Korea.

U.S. concerns are growing over Japan’s plan, which underscores U.S. difficulties in managing its alliances and strategic regional partnerships. On one hand, the U.S. relies on alliances and partnerships to provide access to the regional military bases that give the U.S. power in that region. The U.S. wants to see these other countries strengthening their own defenses so that they can assume more responsibility for regional security.

On the other hand, however, the U.S. fears that relying on these alliances and partnerships could allow these countries to use the U.S. to pursue their own interests. This could trap the U.S. in a conflict, possibly even one with China, in which it has no interests.

From this view, despite the fact that Japan may be the most serious example of this national dilemma, it is not the only country that could “trap” the U.S. In fact, within the next few years, most American politicians have made this delicate balance one of their top priorities, which requires U.S. diplomats to further engage resources and effort in managing these alliances and strategic partnerships.