The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Forces (JMSDF) are increasingly being tested on their red lines and deterrence threshold in key flashpoints, such as the East and South China Seas. The Senkaku Islands, which are part of the Ryukyu Islands, are crucial to Japans security and history. Along the South China Sea are major maritime trade routes and an estimated 190 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. Regarding the Kuril Islands, Tokyo should designate a hotline with Moscow to promote back channels in case tensions continue to escalate. The United States alsosupportsJapans stance on the Northern Territories, which is similar to its position on the Senkaku Islands conflict.