By: Benjamin  He

On July 28, officials from the United States and Japan reportedly met in Tokyo in a 2+2 dialogue (an occasion in which two pairs of representatives from two countries meet). Their goal was to tighten up their military prowess and coordination in response to China’s recent aggression. The negotiation plans call for an increased production of air-to-air missiles and air defense interceptor missiles.

This meeting was mainly framed as a response to China’s aggressive moves in East Asia. China had also made moves in the Eastern and Southern China seas, not to mention the activities of Russia and North Korea.

One of the biggest issues brought up in the meeting concerned the East China Sea, known for its dangerous terrain, in which both China and Japan claim portions as their territory. It was stated by both US and Japaneese officials that they opposed China’s “intensifying attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force or coercion.”

The U.S. secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, and the U.S. defense secretary, Lloyd J. Austin III were the American officials present at the meeting.

Although meetings between the US and Japan are common, Mr. Biden’s announcement that he was stepping out of the presidential race last Sunday elevated the event’s importance. America will be getting a new president in January, and the polls and surveys so far all proclaim two key candidates: Kamala Harris, Biden’s replacement for the Democratic party, or Donald Trump.

Other countries’ officials do not know much about Ms. Harris, although it is widely assumed that she will continue to carry out Mr. Biden’s policies if elected.

Japan and South Korea, wary of a war with China or North Korea, views US troops and weaponry as a deterrent to such an event. In fact, Japan signed an agreement with the United States to buy 400 Tomahawk cruise missiles at a cost of $1.7 billion in January.