China and Japan square up

In defiance of an imaginary line drawn by the Chinese, the Americans flew B-52 bombers across it to assert the imaginary line drawn by the Japanese. And what lies slap dab in the middle of the disputed area, uh-huh, gas fields.

The Senkaku Islands standoff has implications for other countries of the region, including Vietnam and the Philippines, which have their own island disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea - which possesses untapped oil fields.

Japan is providing 10 coastguard vessels to the Philippines to help ward off Chinese incursions. Improved security and military-to-military co-operation with Australia and India form part of its plans.

But all good news for the US armament industry. Japan is  expected to buy American advanced weapons systems such as the F35 fighter-bomber and two more Aegis-equipped missile defence destroyers.

Abe's government agreed a revised pact in October with the US secretary of state, John Kerry, and the defence secretary, Chuck Hagel, providing for a "more robust alliance and greater shared responsibilities". "The US welcomed Japan's determination to contribute proactively to regional and global peace and security," a joint statement said. The pact reflected "shared values of democracy, the rule of law, free and open markets and respect for human rights".