Washington has little interest in protecting Tokyo's contested territorial claims. Especially since doing so encourages the Japanese government to be provocative, even reckless. Xinhua was uncomfortab

I can only buy one of the three points this author makes;

Washington has little interest in protecting Tokyo's contested territorial claims.

I think that's an accurate assessment.

Especially since doing so encourages the Japanese government to be provocative, even reckless.

How has Japan been provocative or reckless? Japan is not sending military and civilian aircraft or ships into contested airspace or waters. Japan has not declared an ADIZ over international areas. Japan has no "9 dash line" laying claim to areas thousands of miles from its territory.

Xinhua was uncomfortably close to the mark in claiming that Tokyo has 'embroiled the U.S. in its squabbles with irritated neighbors.'

Irritated neighbors? Again, I don't believe Japan was the target of the pronouncement at the at the recent ASEAN Summit that ......"criticized land reclamation activities as having the potential to undermine peace, security, and stability in the South China Sea and reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation in and over-flight over these areas......"