The bilateral alliance with Japan remains "a credible deterrent" against adversaries, the new commander of U.S. forces in Japan said Friday, at a time when China is trying to increase its clout in the region."Our alliance at all levels ensures we remain a credible deterrent, ready to respond at a moment's notice to any threat, crisis or humanitarian disaster," Lt. Gen. Ricky Rupp said in a ceremony held at Yokota Air Base in the suburbs of Tokyo, where the headquarters of U.S. Forces Japan are located.Rupp will manage around 54,000 U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan and coordinate w…READ FULL ARTICLE