WASHINGTON/TOKYO -- In a subtle but potentially significant shift, the U.S. has gone a step further in expressing support for Japan in the East China Sea, referring to the "sovereignty" of the Senkaku Islands.
"We hold with the international community about the Senkakus and the sovereignty of the Senkakus, and we support Japan obviously in that sovereignty," Pentagon press secretary John Kirby said during Tuesday's press briefing.
