Japan: China's Military Moves Pose Direct Threat to Our National Security

Japan warned in its annual defense report released today, Tuesday, of the escalating Chinese military activities near its territories, indicating that these movements pose a direct and serious threat to the country's national security.

The report, approved by Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's government, documented increasing Chinese army incursions, especially in the East China Sea and areas surrounding Taiwan.

Among the incidents that raised concerns in Tokyo was a Chinese military aircraft's breach of Japanese airspace last August, an unprecedented incident described by the Ministry of Defense as a serious violation of national sovereignty.

The report also noted the passage of a Chinese naval group, including an aircraft carrier, between two Japanese islands near Taiwan in September, which Japan considered a show of force escalation.

Last week, Japanese concerns heightened after Chinese fighter jets flew just 30 meters away from a Japanese patrol aircraft flying over disputed waters in the East China Sea.

The Japanese government also recorded a total of 355 passages of Chinese ships near the Senkaku Islands, administered by Tokyo and claimed by Beijing, during 2024.

For the first time, two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously in the Pacific Ocean in June, with one of them inside Japan's exclusive economic zone.

While China described these activities as "routine exercises not targeting any country," Tokyo viewed these movements as intimidation.

The Japanese White Paper also criticized joint military exercises between China and Russia near Japanese territories, considering them aimed at military pressure on Japan.

Amid these tensions, the Japanese Ministry of Defense described China's military ambitions as representing "an unprecedented and extremely dangerous strategic challenge" to Japan and the international community.

The report also did not overlook the escalating threat from North Korea, noting that its nuclear and missile programs have become more dangerous and urgent than ever before.

In response to these challenges, Japan seeks to enhance its defense capabilities and balance its military spending to reach around 2% of the gross domestic product, in line with NATO standards.