U.S.-Japan relations

The U.S. president will be visiting South Korea and Japan from May 20-24.

Beyond its seismic implications for China-U.S. relations, the rapprochement reshaped politics across the Asia-Pacific – and beyond.

Beyond their moral responsibility, Japan and the United States have compelling interests in doing more together to battle COVID-19 internationally.

Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman is making the rounds in East Asia, with one notable omission from her itinerary.

With both countries facing serious challenges at home, their leaders remained committed to building a personal rapport.

At the Biden-Suga summit, strong language on China, including a notable mention of Taiwan, was tempered by Suga's precarious situation at home.

If both leaders play their cards right, ties between Tokyo and Washington could anchor a peaceful and rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific for years to come.

One way of looking at the 2+2 meeting is that a selection of items for future consideration was put on the table. What becomes of these items going forward is now the critical question.

A year after what was supposed to be a landmark in the renewed relationship, rhetoric from both Beijing and Tokyo is increasingly frosty.

The United States may have to play a leading role if it wants to see relations between Seoul and Tokyo improve.

In the first 2+2 talks of their new administrations, both sides pledge to strengthen their alliance in response to shared concerns over China’s “aggressive actions.”