U.S. and Japan Strengthen Defense Ties Over Senkaku Islands

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Japanese Defense Minister Gen Nakatani spoke for the first time on January 30, 2025. During their 40-minute call, they focused on reinforcing military cooperation and confirmed that the Japan-U.S. security treaty, particularly Article 5, applies to the Senkaku Islands, which Japan administers but which China disputes, claiming territorial sovereignty. The U.S., however, has made it clear that the Indo-Pacific region remains a geostrategic priority.

This comes at a time of rising geopolitical tension, including deepening alliances between North Korea and Russia and massive Chinese Coast Guard vessels around the disputed island. This marks the Trump administration's first provocative military move, but how will China respond? China has often reacted to such actions with military activity or diplomatic protests. Its response this time still remains uncertain.