Japan has called China the “greatest strategic challenge” facing the international community in its new defense report.
“China’s external posture, military activities, and other activities are a matter of serious concern for Japan and the international community and present an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge which Japan should respond with its comprehensive national power and in cooperation and collaboration with its ally, like-minded countries, and others,” the report says, detailing China’s “high-level” defense budget growth and military activities in areas near Japan.
“China is further strengthening its cooperation with Russia, including in military activities. It has also conducted joint bomber flights and naval navigations with Russia in the vicinity of Japan,” the report adds. “These repeated joint activities are clearly intended for demonstration of force against Japan and are a grave concern from the perspective of the national security of Japan.”
The report explained that Japan’s relationship with the United States is a “key pillar” to its national security strategy and is the “cornerstone of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.” Japan and the U.S. are weighing initiatives to “strengthen the deterrence and response capabilities of the Alliance, such as expansion of bilateral joint presence in the southwestern region of Japan and the promotion of defense equipment and technology cooperation, including co-production, development, and sustainment,” the defense report notes.
The threat posed by China in the Indo-Pacific region comes as Taiwan recently launched its most expansive military drills. Earlier this year, the Trump administration reportedly sought to increase U.S. arms sales to Taiwan in May as part of a strategy to deter Chinese aggression in the Indo-Pacific. Sources familiar with the matter said the sales may surpass the $18.3 billion approved during his first administration.
