Japan 'remilitarization' push draws criticism

Japan has repeatedly played up so-called "security threats in its neighborhood" and stoked the "China threat" narrative recently, reflecting a political tactic by right-wing forces to exaggerate security concerns, shape domestic public opinion and seek justification for military buildup and strategic expansion, experts said.

The 2026 edition of Japan's defense white paper, released by the government led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday, distorts the regional security situation and hypes so-called "external threats", raising concerns that Tokyo is using the rhetoric of "peace" and "defense" to justify military expansion and move further away from its long-standing principle of "exclusive defense", they said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said on Wednesday that China deplores and firmly rejects the new version of Japan's defense white paper, adding that China has lodged serious representations with Japan.

"The Defense of Japan 2026"white paper once again targeted China with groundless accusations, rehashing the so-called "China threat" narrative and grossly interfering in China's internal affairs with brazen comments on China's Taiwan region, Lin noted.

The paper also significantly expands discussion of strengthening Japan's defense production and technological bases, elevating the topic to an independent section. It argues for the development of the defense industry under the pretext of "driving economic growth" and "fostering technological innovation that benefits the civilian sector".

Liu Shuliang, an associate researcher at the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, said that Japan's recent efforts to expand its military capabilities have raised concerns that its long-standing principle of "exclusive defense" is being gradually eroded in practice.

In March, Japan deployed the "Type 25 Surface-to-Ship Missile" in Kumamoto Prefecture and the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Missile" in Shizuoka Prefecture, marking the first deployment of its long-range missile systems with so-called "counterstrike capabilities".

In July, a Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessel conducted its first test launch of a US-made Tomahawk cruise missile, further expanding the country's long-range strike capabilities.

"Japan is sending a clear and concerning signal to the international community that it is accelerating its drive toward 'remilitarization' and moving further away from its postwar pacifist path," Liu said.

Deflecting pressures

By repeatedly hyping the so-called "China threat theory", the current Japanese administration is seeking to manufacture a sense of insecurity, both to whitewash its accelerating military buildup and to deflect domestic political pressures faced by the Takaichi government, he said.

"At a strategic level, the narrative serves a broader political agenda: creating a perception of external threats to build public support for constitutional revision, loosen postwar constraints and advance Japan's long-discussed goal of becoming a 'normal nation' with expanded military capabilities," Liu said.

Meanwhile, by reinforcing the narrative that "a Taiwan contingency is a contingency for Japan", Japan seeks to provoke a strong reaction from China, portray Beijing as a threat to Japan's security, and justify further military expansion and a defense buildup, he added.

"It has become increasingly evident that Japan's repeated attempts to stir up tensions across the Taiwan Strait pose a direct threat to China's efforts to safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity," Liu said.

Chen Hong, director of East China Normal University's Asia Pacific Studies Center, said that Japan has been actively promoting greater NATO involvement in the Asia Pacific while working closely with the US to build exclusive security groupings. This move risks fueling bloc confrontation in the region.

Even as it continues to reinforce the US-Japan alliance, Japan has repeatedly portrayed the normal security cooperation between China and Russia as a so-called "threat". Meanwhile, by further tightening its strategic alignment with Washington, Tokyo has willingly assumed the role of a key partner in advancing the US "Indo-Pacific" strategy, exacerbating bloc confrontation in the region, he said.

"Japan's latest moves amount to a dangerous attempt to transcend the boundaries of its defense policy in pursuit of its ambition to become a major military power. This trajectory threatens peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific and calls for heightened vigilance from the international community," Chen added.

Countries in the region should take coordinated diplomatic and security measures to respond to Japan's attempts to undermine regional peace and stability, prevent any further erosion of its postwar security constraints, and limit the room for military expansion, Liu said.

Multilateral institutions, including the United Nations, should pay close attention to Japan's security policy, raise concerns over developments that could damage the postwar international order and the spirit of its pacifist constitution, and build broader international consensus against military expansion that threatens global peace and stability, he said.

liujianqiao@chinadaily.com.cn