Rapid Fire August 1st, 2012: No Sequester for Personnel | China’s Not Making Any Friends

Japan issued its 2012 defense white paper expressing its concern with China’s mix of assertiveness and lack of transparency:

“[I]n the Asia-Pacific region, where a lack of transparency and elements of uncertainty still exist, the presence of the U.S. forces remains extremely important in order to achieve regional stability. Japan and other countries have established bilateral alliances and friendly relations with the U.S. and they allow the stationing and deployment of U.S. forces in their territories. In addition, measures have recently been taken to further strengthen the presence of the U.S. forces.”