Abstract: On April 10, 2024, the leaders of the United States and Japan held a summit and issued a joint statement, marking a new phase of the U.S.-Japan alliance. The characteristics of the new upgrade of the U.S.-Japan alliance are that the U.S. and Japan are promoting dual strategic competition with China in the Asia-Pacific region. The strengthening of the U.S.-Japan defense cooperation and practical orientation are the focus of the alliance upgrade. The scope of the U.S.-Japan alliance cooperation is more comprehensive, and the competition with China is more targeted. The upgrade of the U.S.-Japan alliance influences the geopolitical evolution of the Asia-Pacific region, leading to renewed tensions on the Korean Peninsula, complicating political and security issues in the region, and significantly increasing the risk of regional conflicts and even war. This situation poses a substantial negative impact on Chinas surrounding security and the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region. China needs to strive to play the role of a responsible regional power and a member of the international community. It should place greater emphasis on risk monitoring of surrounding security and deepen its regional diplomacy, becoming an advocate and practitioner of regional peace. China should implement the Global Security Initiative at the regional level, promote the building of a community with a shared future for the countries within the region, and safeguard surrounding and regional security.

Key words: the U.S.-Japan alliance, the U.S.-Japan axis, the U.S. Asia-Pacific alliance, geopolitics, Chinas peripheral security