Japan has issued a white paper on its security and defence posture, stating that it faces the most serious challenges and threats since the Second World War. The primary threat comes from China, which is intensifying its activities in the East China Sea and the Pacific, particularly around the disputed Senkaku Islands.
North Korea, which is increasing its military production and arsenal of ballistic missiles is also also mentioned as part of the security risks. Russia is also mentioned for its heightened military activity in the Northern Territories. In the white paper, Japan states that it plans to augment the numbers of its military personnel and enhance its air-defences.
China has publicly declared multiple times that it intends to conquer Taiwan. However, China is not only targeting Taiwan and is increasing its aggressive naval and military activity in the Pacific by encroaching into the maritime territory of other countries. Currently, China is aggressively using its coast guard and navy to block the Philippines’ access to several of its territories including the Scarborough Shoal, the Second Thomas Shoal, Sabina Shoal, and Sandy Cay.
Earlier this week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio released a statement and urged China to abide with the Philippines-China South China Sea Arbitral Tribunal Ruling of 2016 that denied China’s expansionist claims on several territories in the South China Sea including the territories in the Philippines that is currently trying to conquer.
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