I've figured that Japan is currently capable of defeating China in a conflict over the Senkakus without our direct intervention on the shooting side of things, but that we could assist in ways that make the Japanese more effective.
We will discuss the actual measures we can take and that Japan would like. China is unhappy:
Shigeru Iwasaki, head of the Japanese Self-Defence Forces' joint staff, and Samuel Locklear, commander of U.S. forces in the Asia-Pacific, are expected to agree that the allies will accelerate the drafting of the plans when they meet in Hawaii on Thursday and Friday, Kyodo news agency said.
They will likely review several scenarios including one under which Japanese and U.S. armed forces conduct joint operations in case China invades the islands, Kyodo said. The Nikkei business daily carried a similar report on Wednesday.
"China is extremely concerned by these reports ... The Chinese government has the determination and ability to maintain the nation's territorial sovereignty," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said.
This doesn't reach the level of "extreme concern." Save that level of alarm for the day we decide we need to help Japan develop their own nuclear deterrent.
Because that's the way China is pushing events. You'll notice how South Korea is reacting to decades of North Korean threats (tip to Defense Industry Daily)
