A 2021 Japan-U.S. joint statement that referred to the Taiwan Strait for the first time in 52 years was meant to signal Washington's commitment to the security of Asia amid China's increasing assertiveness, former Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga said recently.In an interview with Kyodo News about one year after his April summit with U.S. President Joe Biden, Suga said that while the two countries committed to enhance deterrence under a "functioning" alliance, they also tried to send out a message that Tokyo and Washington were seeking strategic dialogue with Beijing.The statement on April 16,…READ FULL ARTICLE