Japan sees China’s military ambitions as world’s “biggest strategic challenge” – Observer

Beijing’s military ambitions are “the biggest strategic challenge” for Japan and the world and North Korea poses a greater threat than ever before, the Japanese Defense Ministry said Friday.

The white paper published by the Japanese ministry stated that Beijing regularly sends ships to areas near disputed islands in the East China Sea — reiterating that Beijing’s military ambitions are “the greatest strategic challenge” for Japan and the world.

“The international community is facing its greatest test since the Second World War and competition between states, especially between the United States and China, is likely to intensify,” the white paper reads.

Beijing defends Chinese ship maneuvers against Philippine vessel

The document, published every year, sets out Japan’s defense position on issues ranging from tensions over Taiwan to the intensifying rivalry between Beijing and Washington.

The repeated joint maneuvers by Chinese and Russian ships near Japan “are clearly intended as a show of force against Japan and constitute a serious concern from a national security perspective,” the ministry said.

North Korea, which frequently conducts missile tests toward Japan, represents a “a more serious and imminent threat than ever to Japan’s national security”the document reads.

In previous years, the defense document has stressed the need to counter regional threats, including China’s growing military power and North Korea.

Japan plans to double its defense spending to meet the NATO standard of 2 percent of GDP by 2027, although the falling value of the yen could affect its purchasing power.

“It appears that mainland China intends to make increased military activities around Taiwan a new normal for the region,” said the document, which also listed heightened defense risks associated with AI, cybersecurity and disinformation.

Japan is forging closer defense ties with countries in the region, including Australia and South Korea, and on Monday signed a major defense pact with the Philippines that allows it to deploy troops to each other’s territory.

Philippines will not be intimidated by maritime clash with China, says president

As The Philippines and Japan are both long-time allies of the US.which have been strengthening defense ties in Asia to counter China’s growing military power and influence.