Japan's Defense White Paper to Label China as 'Greatest Strategic Challenge'

(Central News Agency, Tokyo, 10th, Comprehensive Foreign News) The Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 9th the draft of Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper. Regarding China's military trends, it maintains the 2025 phrasing, stating it is a 'matter of grave concern for Japan and the international community, and the greatest strategic challenge.'

The Japanese Ministry of Defense publishes a defense white paper annually, serving as a tool for regularly observing Japan's defense policy stance and analyzing the military activities of various countries. The 2026 edition is expected to be released as early as July this year.

According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the draft of the new white paper indicates that Japan will write, with China implicitly in mind, that it will 'strengthen cooperation with allies and like-minded countries, as well as deterrence and response capabilities, to ensure regional stability.'

Furthermore, the new white paper will mention the activities of Chinese aircraft carriers near Japanese waters and the increasing frequency of military exercises around Taiwan, stating that China is 'rapidly and extensively strengthening the quality and quantity of its military power.'

Regarding North Korea, the draft mentions that military cooperation with Russia 'could strengthen North Korea's mid- to long-term military capabilities.'

The Japanese government will, for the first time, produce short videos and pamphlets to explain the new defense white paper, making it easier for the public to understand and enhancing its outreach.

The government plans to revise three national security documents this year. The new white paper will add content on 'new operational methods' utilizing drones and artificial intelligence (AI). It points out that the battlefield of Russia's invasion of Ukraine has seen the deployment of 'large numbers of cheap' drones, and the impact of AI in accelerating decision-making speed has highlighted the importance of ensuring sustainability for prolonged conflict.

The Yomiuri Shimbun reported that the new white paper will also detail measures to strengthen the defense industrial base. Based on the revision of the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and their operational guidelines in April, it will emphasize the significance of 'possessing the same equipment and building a mutual support environment' to enhance the deterrence and response capabilities of allies and like-minded countries. (Editor: Yang Weijing) 1150610