Although the United States does not have an official position on the merits of the competing sovereignty claims, the islands are included within the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan, meaning that a defense of the islands by Japan would require the United States to come to Japan's aid.
Skønt USA ikke har nogen officiel position angående de modstridende suverænitetskrav, så er øerne inkluderede i Sikkerhedspagten mellem USA og Japan, hvilket betyder, at et japansk forsvar af øerne kan fremtvinge støtte fra USA's militær.