The United States supports Japan’s protests over Chinese ships venturing into the economic waters near disputed East China Sea islands, the commander of the US Forces in Japan said Wednesday.
“The United States is 100% absolutely steadfast in its commitment to help the government of Japan with the situation in Senkaku,” Lt. Gen. Kevin Schneider said of the group of islands, which are controlled by Japan.
China also claims the islands, which it calls Diaoyu.
“That’s 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. There is no deviation in that regard,” Schneider told reporters.
Japan has long protested the repeated presence of Chinese coast guard vessels in the waters. Schneider also noted such incursions had increased recently.