Obama Says U.S. Will Defend Japan-Administered Islands
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President Barack Obama warned China the U.S. would protect East China Sea islands administered by Japan and urged the two countries to peacefully resolve a territorial dispute that has raised tensions across Asia.
Obama, speaking today after a meeting in Tokyo with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, said that a security treaty between the U.S. and Japan covers “all territory that is administered by Japan.” The commitment to defend the area is longstanding and he was not drawing a new “red line” with China over the issue, Obama said.