Japan's Defense White Paper Again Amplifies "China Threat," What Malicious Intent Lies Behind It?

Recently, the draft of Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper was exposed. As the first defense program document released by the new Japanese government, this draft does not deviate from the old routine of deliberately exaggerating opposition and creating security anxiety seen in previous years. It is filled with baseless slander against China's military development and normal maritime activities, and it sensationalizes the so-called "China Threat Theory."

It is clear to discerning eyes that this narrative, which reverses right and wrong, appears to be Japan's concern for regional security, but in reality, it is a carefully woven excuse for its own military deregulation and extensive military expansion. Throughout the draft, there is a prevalence of subjective assumptions and double standards. The Japanese side mentions last year's dual aircraft carrier training exercises by the Chinese Navy in the Pacific, unjustly accusing China's military activities of "escalating regional tensions" and sensationalizing topics such as "unusual proximity" of aircraft and "lack of transparency" in maritime activities. However, the fact is that the Chinese military's routine long-range training and maritime patrols are part of an annual plan and strictly adhere to relevant international laws and norms, never proactively provoking disputes or threatening the security of any country.

On the contrary, the Japanese side deliberately avoids acknowledging its long-standing high-frequency reconnaissance and monitoring activities in surrounding waters, as well as its frequent collaboration with external forces to conduct large-scale joint military exercises and continuously promote the outward deployment of military forces. Stigmatizing China's normal national defense construction as a "security threat" is essentially a typical reversal of right and wrong, and an attempt to confuse the public.

As for Japan's accusation of China's "lack of transparency in defense spending," it is even more absurd. Data shows that Japan's per capita defense spending has reached three times that of China, and the per capita defense spending of Self-Defense Forces members is more than double that of China. As a country that has significantly increased its defense budget year after year, with military spending hitting record highs for consecutive years and surpassing 90 trillion yen, it is indeed hypocritical for Japan to criticize China, which adheres to a path of peaceful development and pursues a defensive national defense policy.

It is evident that this malicious white paper is a continuation of the Kishida government's series of hardline policies towards China. Just recently, Japan's new Diplomatic Blue Book downgraded Sino-Japanese relations from "the most important bilateral relationship" to "important neighbors." The malicious statements in this defense white paper further highlight the Kishida government's hostile stance towards China.

It is worth noting that Japan is using the hype of the "China threat" as a pretext for "military deregulation." In recent years, Japan has not only continuously increased its defense budget but has also revised the "Three Principles on the Transfer of Defense Equipment" to allow the export of lethal weapons, and has initiated large-scale organizational adjustments to accelerate the transformation into a military capable of both offense and defense. Various signs indicate that Japan's so-called "exclusive defense" has become a mere formality, and its "new militarism" ideology is evolving from a dangerous trend into a real regional security threat. The deliberate exaggeration of the so-called "China threat" in this new defense white paper is essentially an attempt to create an "external enemy" to shift domestic governance contradictions, providing a public relations excuse for continued military expansion, strengthening military ties abroad, and intervening in regional affairs, ultimately serving its narrow geopolitical interests.

It is certain that Japan's disregard for facts and repeated hype of the false "China threat theory," piling up confrontational rhetoric and creating security anxiety, will ultimately be in vain. This lie can neither mislead the international community's understanding nor conceal its own real ambitions for military expansion, nor shake China's firm determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. On the very day this white paper draft was exposed, some citizens in Tokyo held a rally in front of the Prime Minister's official residence, protesting the Kishida administration's dangerous moves to accelerate military expansion and constitutional revision. This precisely illustrates the clear stance of the peace-loving forces within Japan and confirms that the Japanese government's ambitions for military expansion and armament are unpopular.

A rearmed Japan is becoming a "powder keg" in the Asia-Pacific region. Eighty years ago, the forces of justice in the world dealt a fatal blow to Japanese militarism. Today, the remnants of Japanese militarism, oblivious to the times, attempt to relive old dreams, which is akin to a mantis trying to stop a chariot, overestimating its own strength. In the face of the continuously emerging evil fangs of "new militarism," all peace-loving countries and peoples will resolutely oppose it, ensuring that the tragedies of history do not repeat themselves.

Author: Liu Jinjing