US pact deters clash with China over isles: Japan

WASHINGTON (AP) - Japan said on Thursday its security alliance with the United States (US) is an important deterrent against conflict breaking out between China and Japan over disputed islands.

Tensions between the Asian powers have spiked since Japan last month nationalised some of the tiny islands in waters between them. Japan's ambassador to Washington Ichiro Fujisaki said that he trusts the leaders of China and Japan will avoid a war.

Mr Fujisaki said the issue should be dealt with calmly and without resorting to force or coercion, or allowing nationalist sentiment to get out of control.

"It's important that we should not make an emotional issue out of this. We should calmly discuss where we can on these issues and always should respect law," the ambassador told the Brookings Institution think tank. He reiterated Japan's stance that the sovereignty of the island is not in dispute.