Should Asia be wary of the new US-Japan defence pact?

SO much for hopes and dreams of a united Asia.

The clear message from Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's visit to the United States last week was that battle lines have in effect been drawn between the US plus its "special relationship" partner (Japan) and China in terms of both security and trade issues - and in ways that are likely to polarise other Asian nations too.

By reinterpreting Japan's "pacifist" post-war constitution (ahead of plans to formally amend the document) to allow collective self-defence, Mr Abe has opened the door to more active Japanese military cooperation with the US and, possibly, others. In return, the US will underwrite Japan's security, including protection of islands such as the Senkakus in the East China Sea over which Japan claims sovereignty.