Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received the assurance of visiting U.S. Vice President Joe Biden Tuesday that Washington stands behind Japan as it responds to China's recent declaration of an air defense identification zone in the East China Sea that encompasses the Japan-administered Senkaku Islands.
During their 85 minutes meeting in Tokyo, Abe and Biden agreed that they won't accept China's recent establishment of the ADIZ and Japan and the U.S. will cooperate closely to deal with the issue.
"The U.S. is deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea. This action has raised regional tension and increased the risk of accident and miscalculation," Biden said at a joint news conference held following their talks.