In Japan, Biden promises to press China on airspace dispute By Mariano Castillo and Jethro Mullen, CNN December 3, 2013 -- Updated 1635 GMT (0035 HKT) Vice President Joe Biden is on a visit to Japan He met with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Central to their talks was an ongoing air zone dispute with China (CNN) -- On a visit to Japan on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden assured his hosts that the U.S. will express concerns to China over Beijing's recent claim of a large swath of airspace in the region. "We, the United States, are deeply concerned by the attempt to unilaterally change the status quo in the East China Sea," Biden said at a news conference alongside Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "I will be raising these concerns with great specificity directly when I meet with the Chinese leadership" on a later leg of his trip, Biden said. The uneasy situation in the sky over the East China Sea has raised fears that a midair incident could cause circumstances to spiral out of control. "The United States has an interest in the lowering of tensions in this vital region, as I believe all the countries in northeast Asia share that same interest with us," Biden said. U.S. State Department spokeswoman Jennifer Psaki reiterated Monday that Washington doesn't recognize the air defense zone nor China's demand to be notified of plans by jets from other nations to fly into the area. The Chinese action, Biden said, raises the possibility of "accidents and miscalculation." The Vice President praised the alliance between the United States and Japan, sayings its commitment to Japan is critical. He called Japan the cornerstone of stability in the region. "We meet in a moment, Prime Minister, when a new Asia Pacific is emerging, with limitless potential, but also new dynamics, rising tensions and the risk of miscalculation," Biden said. In addition to the China airspace claim, the Vice President and Prime Minister discussed ways to fortify U.S.-Japan relations economically and militarily.