Japan's defense paper at odds with reality

As has become the norm, Japan's latest defense white paper points an accusing finger at surrounding countries, including China, for creating security concerns.

The document, which was approved by Japan's Cabinet on Tuesday, justifies Japan's expansion and strengthening of its Self-Defense Forces by citing the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, China and Russia as security threats.

However, this merely shows that despite its tentative steps toward an independent foreign policy, it is still reluctant to emerge from under the protective arm of the United States.