Japan's defense white paper hypes up 'China threat' again

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The Japanese defense white paper has again listed China and other neighboring countries as threats, which analysts believe is an effort to foster an "insecure" atmosphere and pave the way for the Japanese government to step up the country's defense capabilities.

The Japanese Cabinet approved the annual defense white paper report on Tuesday. The white paper summarized the country's defense policy changes and called the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's (DPRK) nuclear and missile programs a serious regional threat to Japan

In response to Tokyo's move, DPRK state-media said Japan is trying to hamper the peace process on the Korean Peninsula.

Japan's 2018 defence white paper screenshot. /CGTN Photo

Meanwhile, the annual white paper devoted some 35 pages to making remarks on China's national defense system, saying there is "a noticeable trend among Japan's neighbors to modernize and reinforce their military capabilities and to intensify their military activities."

It referred to China's maritime activities in the East and South China Seas like Chinese ships and planes patrolling areas near the Diaoyu Islands.

Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying on Tuesday said China will not accept any labels such as "expansion" and "ambition" to be pinned on China.

She argued it is totally groundless and irresponsible for Japan to point fingers at China's normal maritime activities and made accusations against China's normal national defense development.

Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hua Chunying's speaks at the regular press conference on August 28, 2018 ./Chinese MOFA photo

Japan should not seek excuses for its arms expansion, she warned.

Some experts believe the white paper is exaggerating the "insecure" atmosphere in the region to pave the way for revision of Japan's restrictive military guidelines, known as the National Defense Program.

The Abe administration says they plan to revise the document by the end of this year to strengthen Japan's defense capabilities: with a focus on anti-missile, intelligence and radar systems

A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type 16 mobile combat vehicle fires ammunition during a live fire exercise at the foot of Mount Fuji in the Hataoka district of the East Fuji Maneuver Area in Gotemba, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan, on Saturday, Aug. 25, 2018. /VCG Photo

Experts also noted that it is Japan that is changing the status quo and triggering international concerns.