Tokyo: The Japanese government has categorically identified China as posing "an unprecedented and the greatest strategic challenge" for Tokyo and its allies, marking this stance in its latest defense white paper with a sharper tone than seen in previous years. The document, which is released annually, highlights the threats Japan perceives and outlines its defense strategies.
According to Deutsche Welle, the 2025 defense paper points to Beijing's expansion and assertiveness in various operational domains. Japanese officials, in the report released this week, stated that "international society is in a new crisis era and faces the biggest challenges since the end of World War II." They expressed concern over China's "intensified military activities," which they believe could significantly impact Japan's security.
The language of this year's white paper is a reflection of a series of military incidents in the past year. Ryo Hinata-Yamaguchi, an associate professor at Tokyo International University's Institute for International Strategy, noted, "In the last year, there has been a lot more activity involving China, North Korea, and Russia, so it is no surprise that Japan is expressing its concerns more explicitly." He also highlighted the continuously changing security environment.
Frequent confrontations between Chinese and Japanese forces have illustrated these changes. On July 7, a Japanese YS-11EB electronic surveillance aircraft was intercepted by a Chinese JH-7 fighter-bomber over the East China Sea, with the Chinese aircraft coming within 30 meters. A similar maneuver occurred the next day. In response, Tokyo conveyed "serious concerns" through diplomatic and defense channels, which Beijing dismissed, accusing Japan of espionage.
Mid-June saw Chinese fighters from the aircraft carrier Shandong station themselves near a Japanese P-3C reconnaissance aircraft in the Pacific. Additionally, Chinese coast guard vessels and aircraft have been active around the Senkaku Islands, which are controlled by Tokyo but claimed by China. In August 2024, a Chinese reconnaissance plane's incursion into Japanese airspace prompted Japanese fighters to scramble and led Tokyo to summon the Chinese embassy's charge d'affaires.
Beijing has rebuffed the Japanese defense paper, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry claiming it "reflects a wrong perception of China" and interferes in internal affairs. Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian urged Japan to reflect on its historical actions and accused it of using regional tensions to justify military expansion.
The white paper also addresses Japan's defense spending, noting plans to increase it to 2% of GDP by 2027. While this remains below the 5% the US expects from its allies, Hinata-Yamaguchi suggested the document carries a message for Washington, indicating Japan's commitment to taking greater responsibility for its defense.
Concerns over China's military relations with North Korea and Russia are also evident in the white paper. According to Yakov Zinberg, a professor at Tokyo's Kokushikan University, joint military exercises by China and Russia are intended to showcase their combined strength and deter Japan. A notable instance was a joint fleet circumnavigating the Japanese archipelago, serving as a show of force.