Japan’s Defense Ministry expressed deep concern over joint military activities conducted by China and Russia near its borders, labeling them as provocative demonstrations of force. In its annual white paper released Friday, the ministry highlighted escalating tensions around Taiwan and the intensifying rivalry between China and the United States as key concerns.
The paper noted repeated joint sorties of Chinese and Russian ships around Japan, which it interpreted as direct threats to national security. It emphasized North Korea’s increasingly imminent threat, especially through its missile tests aimed towards Japan.
Japan aims to double its defense spending to two percent of GDP by 2027, aligning with NATO standards, though challenges such as the weakening yen may impact its purchasing power.
Regarding China, the paper underscored Beijing’s regular dispatch of ships near disputed islands in the East China Sea, identifying China’s military ambitions as the greatest strategic challenge not only for Japan but also globally. It highlighted concerns over China’s efforts to normalize increased military activities around Taiwan.
The white paper also addressed emerging defense risks associated with artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and disinformation. It pointed out that global competition, particularly between the US and China, is reaching unprecedented levels since World War II.
Japan continues to strengthen defense ties with regional allies like Australia, South Korea, and the Philippines, the latter with whom it recently signed a defense pact allowing mutual troop deployments. This move aligns with broader efforts by the United States to bolster defense cooperation in Asia to counterbalance China’s growing military influence.
Meanwhile, China has accused the US of attempting to create an Asia-Pacific version of NATO. Recently, a Japanese destroyer reportedly entered Chinese territorial waters, prompting diplomatic tensions between Tokyo and Beijing.
On a different front, China and Belarus are conducting joint military exercises near the Polish border until July 19, solidifying their alliance as a counterbalance to NATO. Belarus’s recent entry into the Shanghai Cooperation Organization further strengthens this strategic alignment.
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