New Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga cleared his first diplomatic hurdle Tuesday, ensuring a smooth transition in U.S.-Japan relations during his meeting with State Secretary Mike Pompeo and pushing for stronger regional ties as China seeks to augment its already growing influence in the Indo-Pacific.
The meeting at the Prime Minister¡¯s Office took place ahead of the dialogue among foreign ministers from the so-called Quad countries ¡ª Japan, the United States, Australia and India ¡ª to discuss coronavirus pandemic responses and China¡¯s increasing assertiveness.
Known as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, Japan particularly hopes to further advance what it calls its ¡°Free and Open Indo-Pacific¡± push, a vision touting the principles of freedom of navigation, free trade and dispute settlement based on the rule of law ¡ª a veiled censure against China as it has intensified its moves to assert control over the contested South China and East China seas.
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