Less than two weeks into the new year, a new diplomatic flare-up in the South China Sea is already on our radar. This time, Japan rerouted maritime surveillance aircraft to locations that abut the contested waters. Given the sensitivity of the region, the move will surely invite scrutiny from Beijing.
Tokyo's decision to make refueling stops at bases in Vietnam, Malaysia and the Philippines is part of Japan's efforts to deepen military involvement in the South China Sea, from which it hopes to take an increasingly active military role in the Pacific. But to do that, it needs countries that are willing to host its forces