International relationsTokyo left to lodge protests amid perception of weakened allianceRussian President Vladimir Putin, left, with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, center, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un in Beijing in September 2025. (Tass via Kyodo)October 17, 2026 05:32 JSTTOKYO -- Japan has been limited to issuing a string of protests against recent incidents involving China, Russia and North Korea as perceived cracks in the alliance with the U. S. complicate regional deterrence in the wake of American sanctions against the International Criminal Court.