Global Times reports that “Japanese media outlets on Wednesday revealed the outline of Japan’s annual defense report, which claimed China’s military activities “a grave concern,” and highlighted the need for securing sustained combat capacity for potential “prolonged war.”
China has reacted sternly, describing this as another case of the remilitarization of Japan and the failure to sustain the pacifist policy in its post-war constitution. “Tokyo’s rapid military buildup has gone far beyond legitimate self-defense demands and serves to pave the way for a return to militarism, a development that warrants close vigilance from the international community,” Global Times says.
According to Japan’s NHK, the report cites incidents including intermittent radar illumination of Self-Defense Forces aircraft by Chinese fighter jets last December, and intensified Chinese carrier operations in the Pacific Ocean, calling these military activities “a grave concern” for Japan and the international community and “an unprecedented top strategic challenge.”
The full Defense White Paper is expected to be submitted to Japan’s Cabinet for review this summer, according to NHK.
