While I personally disagree with Washington or the Administration distancing itself and not backing GB on the Falklands, I am willing to be that when comparing the two, their "reasoning" is something along these lines. Japan compared to China is going to have a hard time asserting themselves, especially militarily. If we show our support, perhaps that will help to calm the Chinese down from their wound-up state and get them to discuss the matter more rationally. -vs- There are people who have lived for generations on the Falklands and they are clear as to which claimant they are linked. The issue is being ramped up and over-emotionalized by the Argentinians, but if two super-powers come in and say "STFU" that only further encourages and enraged the Argentinians who are feeling like the "little guy who is being bullied". Now, I don't agree with the second position, I personally believe that our statement as a nation should be "This was sorted out before, we understand that it is an emotional issues for Argentinian politics, but the furor being made is meant to distract the population from internal issues, much like the Chinese/Japanese conflict over some sandbars/rocks that are little more than navigational hazards. The Falklands "belong" to the people who live there, not to the nearest mainland nation. If that were so, England would belong to France. We know how well that idea worked."