- Amidst growing tension between China and Japan over the ownership of islands covered under defense treaty, US has pledged to protect Japan in the event of a Chinese attack.
- It is speculated that a war may erupt with both the countries’ edging their fleet towards the island to claim ownership.
- US Prez Obama also urged China to keep its ally North Korea’s nuclear experiments in check in the wake of its purported preparations for 4th dangerous situation in Asia-Pacific.
- China released a Japanese ship that was seized in a business dispute during the 1930s after its owner paid $28m in compensation.
- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a proposed 12-nation free trade bloc, has been shelved since both the countries have not yet found a common grounds, especially the high prices on Japanese agricultural products.
- Read at: http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/obama-vows-to-defend-japan/article5945636.ece
Exams Perspective:
- USA China Bilateral Relations
- USA Japan Bilateral Relations
- Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)
- Arms Race in Southeast Asia
- Disputes in South China Sea