The question of Japan's security role at a time of rising tension over Taiwan is likely to be the subject of a meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of Japan and the United States on Friday.
The two-plus-two talks take place a day after Japan signed a defense cooperation pact with Australia, and because concerns about China's increased military and economic might looms large.
Tension over democratically ruled Taiwan has risen over the past two years as China steps up military and diplomatic pressure to assert its sovereignty over the island it claims as its sacred territory.
A Japanese foreign ministry official told reporters ahead of the talks that ministers are expected to talk about security cooperation in the region.
The cooperation that both countries are pursuing with Australia and other partners is something that would certainly include that.
Japan has a One China policy and aims to balance its relationships with Chinese and long-time military ally the United States.
According to the International Monetary Fund trade data, China is Japan's top export destination, accounting for $141 billion in exports in 2020.
Japan has flourished on a largely nongovernmental basis in recent years and there has been growing debate between politicians and security experts on whether it should get involved if China is going to take military action against the island.
The former Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, said last month that Japan and the United States could not stand by if China attacked Taiwan, in remarks that drew a rebuke from Beijing.
In the event of an emergency over Taiwan, the Japanese and U.S. armed forces have drawn up a draft plan for a joint operation, according to the Kyodo news agency.
Friday s two-plus-two talks could see the allies agree to formalize their work on the plan, Kyodo said.
A Japanese foreign ministry official wouldn't say anything.
In October, Japan's government signaled a more assertive line on China's posture toward Taiwan, suggesting that it would consider options and prepare for various scenarios. Experts said they did not expect a major shift in Japan's posture on Taiwan any time soon.
Jeffrey Hornung, a Japanese security policy expert at the Rand Corporation, said that the two-plus-two could be an opportunity to speak about what Japan may be willing to do but that wouldn't be acknowledged publicly if they did.
Daniel Russel, a former top U.S. diplomat for East Asia with the Asia Society, said Japan had much to weigh up when it came to engagement in a Taiwan emergency.
He said that he said that deterring Chinese aggression and defending against Japanese-controlled waters is a high priority, as is standing alongside the United States and showing support for Taiwan's democracy.
There are pacifist domestic politics, legal constraints and immense economic interests in China that are a countervailing factor.