Japan and US preparing statement promising to 'deter' China, Nikkei reports

The US and Japan flags fly together outside the White House in Washington April 27, 2015. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque
Japan and the United States have started preparing a statement that promises the two countries will cooperate to "deter" and respond to China, the Nikkei newspaper reported on Tuesday.
The statement is being prepared ahead of US President Joe Biden's summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida set for 23 May, it added.