The US Senate has backed an amendment to the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, which states that the Diaoyu islands issue is covered by the Japan-US Security Treaty.

The amendment says that while the US takes no position on the sovereignty of the Diaoyu Islands, it does acknowledge the administration of Japan over the islands. Senate members highlighted the importance of the US-Japan alliance, calling the amendment a strong expression of US support for its key ally in the Asia-pacific.

Japan's Kyodo news agency is quoted as saying the move signals US opposition to efforts to coerce, threaten, or use force to resolve territorial issues. But International media have criticized the US, calling it hypocritical to declare the Diaoyu Islands covered by the Japan-US Security Treaty, while stressing that the country takes no sides on the issue.