Washington and Tokyo have signed a bilateral agreement to increase military logistics cooperation as tensions with China continue to escalate. <br/><br/>Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said because of its pacifist constitution, Japan's Self-Defense Forces have been limited in assisting US military missions. Yesterday, Washington and Tokyo signed an amended Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement that takes full advantage of Japan's more aggressive stance. US Ambassador to Japan Caroline Kennedy said the new agreement is critical to effective cooperation. <br/><br/>While the amended ASCA does not allow weapons provisions, it does permit Tokyo to provide ammunition to US forces involved in information gathering, antipiracy operations, or snap drills. The United States and Japan have drawn steadily closer in an apparent bid to stymie China's growing influence in the region. <br/><br/>Tokyo made major changes to its constitution in March, however, allowing Japanese troops to operate overseas in an offensive posture for the first time since World War II.