US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images
South China Sea
China /  Diplomacy

Japan key to US plan to rally allies against China in Indo-Pacific, observers say

  • US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin urges Tokyo to strengthen its contribution to regional security
  • Japan has been stepping up its role in the region by building partnerships with neighbours and allies

Topic |   South China Sea
Laura Zhou
Laura Zhou in Beijing

Updated: 8:10pm, 27 Jan, 2021

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US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has used the first conversation with his Japanese counterpart to reaffirm Tokyo’s importance to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy. Photo: Getty Images
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