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The global society is facing the biggest test since World War II, according to the recently released white papers from Japan’s Ministry of Defense. And Japan stands in the midst of this trial, as the white paper flags multiple concerns close to Japan’s shores mostly instigated by China, Russia and North Korea:” the northern territorial issue]between Japan and Russia ]”, active advancements to the Sea of Japan by China,” the” territorial dispute regarding Takeshima Island]between South Korea and Japan],” ]i ] ssues concerning the Korean peninsula”,” China’s attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force in the East China Sea/Rapid expansion and intensification of military activities]by China ]”,” ]i ] ssues concerning Taiwan”, and” ]i ] ssues concerning the South China Sea”.
China’s Challenges to Maritime Peace. China has been increasing its defense activity in the South China Sea, the waters surrounding the Senkaku Islands, and the Pacific in general, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense. The possibility of a” major position” like the Russian invasion of Ukraine” may be ruled out,” according to the white paper, particularly in the South China Sea. China’s threat in the South China Sea poses a danger to not only Japan, but to the whole global community, according to Japan. According to the white paper, the Taiwanese Coast Guard has invaded the Senkaku Islands for a total of 29 weeks in 2020, 40 times in 2021, 37 times in 2022, and 42 weeks in 2023, which is the second-highest number of days since 2008, according to the white papers.
China’s Dangers to Taiwan. The white paper dangerously stated that” [t]he entire military harmony between China and Taiwan is quickly tilting in China’s favour.” Japan’s Ministry of Defense noted the sharp rise in the number of Chinese airplane entering Taiwan’s aircraft in the recent past, with 380 attacks in 2020, 972 in 2021, 1, 733 in 2022 and 1, 703 in 2023. Regarding Taiwan, Japan thinks that” China aims to create a real fact where the Army is operating.” The white paper makes the implication that “[g]ray area scenarios involving territorial disputes are regularly occurring as an implied allusion to China’s risks to Taiwan. The use of cross military and non-military war will become even more advanced”.
Russia/China military relationship. The white report also stated that” Russia’s military action in the Indo-Pacific area, including Japan, coupled with its strategic relationship with China, are posing a strong safety problem”. The growing military partnership between Russia and China, and subsequent “repeated joint activities are clearly intended to demonstrate force against Japan and are a grave concern from the perspective of Japan’s national security,” according to Japan’s Ministry of Defense. Additionally, the paper noted recent bilateral military exercises by China and Russia, including 7 joint flights by Chinese and Russian bombers since 2019 and joint navigation from Chinese and Russian navy vessels beginning in 2021. Additionally, the report mentions that China and Russia are” …strengthening their capabilities to interfere with other countries ‘ use of space” and that [ China and Russia ‘s]militaries are engaged in cyber-attacks.
The CCP, of course, quickly attempted to marginalize the white paper. Japan is merely “making a big fuss about the’ China threat,'” according to a China Daily editorial. According to Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, the white paper “gravely interferes in China’s internal affairs, again seeks to play up the’ China threat ‘ narrative, and hypes up regional tensions”, and further warns Japan not to serve as “NATO’s vanguard”. According to a Global Times editorial, the white paper” shows Japan’s real intention of provoking regional tensions and demonizing the Taiwan question.”
As China, Russia and North Korea grow in power in East Asia, will Japan and her allies, particularly the United States, be able to keep them in check? Or will the region’s democracies, economies and trade increasingly be compromised by hostile powers?
