Japan warns of rising global tension, Russia-China arms ties
The Hindu
Japan has warned in an annual defense paper of escalating national security threats stemming from Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s tensions with Taiwan
Japan warned of escalating national security threats stemming from Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s tensions with Taiwan in an annual defense paper issued Friday, as Japan tries to bolster its military capability and spending.
The annual defense white paper, approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet on Friday, highlights the need for Japan’s military buildup to address security concerns and seeks to gain public support for a stronger military and increased budget, which Mr. Kishida’s governing party aims to double in coming years.
The report comes months ahead of a revision to Japan’s national security strategy that is expected to include a pre-emptive strike capability, which critics say would go beyond the limitations of Japan’s pacifist constitution.
China, Russia and North Korea top Japan’s security concerns in the 500-page report. Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, in a statement in the report, said the Indo-Pacific region is “at the center” of international strategic competition.
The report calls Russia's war on Ukraine a “serious violation of international law” and raises "concerns that the effects of such unilateral changes to the status quo by force may extend to the Indo-Pacific region.”
Strategic competition between states has intensified amid a changing global power balance and is “further complicated by factors such as China's broad and rapid military buildup," the report said.
The paper doubled its contents on Taiwan from a previous edition last year. It raised concerns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its impact on Asia, possibly setting a precedent for what may happen between China and Taiwan.
EU and Israel in war of words as ties nosedive ahead of Spain, Ireland recognizing Palestinian state
EU-Israel relations strained over Palestinian state recognition, with threats of sanctions and ICC involvement in conflict.