It helps to make sure everyone knows what to expect in a crisis:
As Japan and the United States start talks on how to respond to armed incidents that fall short of a full-scale attack on Japan, officials in Tokyo worry that their ally is reluctant to send China a strong message of deterrence.
Military officials meet this week in Hawaii to review bilateral defense guidelines for the first time in 17 years. Tokyo hopes to zero in on specific perceived threats, notably China's claims to Japanese-held islands in the East China Sea, while Washington is emphasizing broader discussions, officials on both sides say.
As I've noted, I think Japan could win a fight over the Senkakus with limited American help that doesn't have to involve us directly in the shooting.
If Japan can win with us providing that back up support, I'm sure that is something we'd like.
And speaking of improving Japanes capabilities to fight China over those islands in the East China Sea, Japan is building its first real marine corps:
Japan has decided, for the first time ever, to establish a force of marines similar to the U.S. Marine Corps. Apparently American marines will help train the new Japanese force, currently planned as a brigade of some 3,000 troops. American marines have been teaching Japanese infantry how to undertake amphibious operations for some time but these army troops were not considered marines. The new plan is to establish an elite force of Japanese marines to deal with Chinese threats to Japanese territory.
Preparing to retake the Senkakus if the Chinese launch a suprise occupation of the islands seems less ideal than defending the islands in the first place. I'd send in the robots.
