According to a report by Kyodo News on October 30th, regarding one of the three security-related documents that the Japanese government plans to amend this year, namely the 'National Security Strategy', a proposal suggests maintaining the current wording 'maximum strategic challenge' for China's external stance and military activities. The term 'threat', which is often used in relation to hostile countries, is not expected to be used.
Reports suggest that the Japanese government seems to believe that as Japan’s relations with China deteriorate, its ally the United States is striving to establish “constructive strategic stability” with China. Strengthening such wording could potentially lead to diplomatic friction.
The Japanese government will make a final decision based on the results of discussions between the ruling parties following the completion of their consultations by mid-November at the earliest.
The current strategy lists China's military strength enhancement, actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea, etc. It describes this as "an unprecedented strategic challenge in strengthening the international order based on the rule of law." This is a distinction from North Korea, which is positioned as an "imminent threat."
Regarding this modification, a government official pointed out that when discussing it, it is necessary to consider that China is Japan’s largest trading partner and is closely related to the Japanese economy. “It’s difficult to describe it as a ‘threat’. A practical approach will likely be taken.” The official also stated that it is also necessary to maintain consistency with the statement in the 2008 Joint Statement between Japan and China, which states that both countries do not pose a threat to each other.
On the other hand, Japan feels a strong sense of crisis regarding China’s 'cognitive warfare' aimed at intensifying its criticism of Japan in the international community over historical issues. Sources in the Japanese government emphasized that the situation has worsened, and it is necessary to update measures related to export controls on key minerals such as rare earths. This point may be mentioned in articles discussing Chinese moves.
There is also a difference of opinion within the ruling party regarding how China should be described. The proposal put forth by the Japan Restoration Party clearly states that China's activities have “become a serious threat to countries striving for a free and open international order.” In contrast, the proposal from the Liberal Democratic Party, while mentioning China's military developments, suggests that “one should adopt a realistic attitude towards the situation.”
China's Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Xi once pointed out that the Japanese ruling authorities continue to use the guise of "defensive autonomy," accelerating the revision of the "security three documents," continuously increasing defense spending, developing long-range offensive capabilities, promoting the weaponization and battlefield-oriented development of space weapons. They even try to turn the military industry into a point of economic growth, attempting to deeply embed militarization and preparedness within the country's system, economy, industry, and public opinion.
Chen Xi emphasized that Japan's 'new type of militarism' has become a serious threat, posing a significant challenge to the post-war international order and a real threat to regional peace and stability. The Taiwan issue is related to China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the political foundation of Sino-Japanese relations. It is an irredeemable red line. We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its aggressive history, stop interfering in China's internal affairs, stop misleading the Japanese people and the international community, and not to further deepen the mistake of 're-militarization'.
