Japan is upgrading China to a defence ‘threat’. A long overdue move?

A revised version of Tokyo’s National Security Strategy refers to China as ‘a threat’, rather than ‘an issue of concern’, for the first time

Observers say the long overdue revision reflects threats Japan faces from Russia and North Korea as well. But China is seen as the ‘most worrying’

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Jets from the air forces of Japan and the US fly in formation during a bilateral exercise over the Sea of Japan in November. Photo: Japan’s Defence Ministry via AFP

Published: 8:30am, 14 Dec 2022Updated: 9:03am, 14 Dec 2022

Japan will upgrade China to an “unprecedented strategic challenge” in its revised National Security Strategy, with analysts saying the move that took nearly a decade of discussions is long overdue given geopolitical changes in the region.

The ruling Liberal Democratic Party and its coalition partner Komeito agreed on Monday to revise the strategy document for the first time since it was drawn up in 2013.

The policy paper, along with the updated National Defence Strategy and National Defence Programme Guidelines, will be submitted to the cabinet for confirmation this week before going to the Diet for approval.

It coincides with the recent announcement by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that Japan would significantly raise defence spending, to account for 2 per cent of gross domestic product by 2027.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida plans to significantly raise defence spending within the next five years. Photo: EPA-EFE

Tokyo has for many years adhered to an unofficial policy that limited defence spending to 1 per cent of GDP, although that has been creeping higher over the last decade.

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