Maintaining perception of China as the “biggest challenge” Government adjustment to new security strategy – defense capabilities

It has been learned that the Japanese government is adjusting its National Security Strategy, which will be revised by the end of the year, to maintain the current strategic situational awareness of China, which is increasing its military activities, as the country's "greatest strategic challenge." This was announced by government officials on the 10th. We will refrain from using the term ``threat'' similar to North Korea.

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Although some members of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Restoration Party are calling for an increase in the risk assessment, the government is leaning toward the conclusion that it is not a good idea to provoke China, as relations between Japan and China have cooled down due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's response to the ``Taiwan emergency.'' The decision also appears to be taking into consideration US President Donald Trump's aim to stabilize US-China relations.

The National Security Strategy is the highest level document in the foreign and defense fields. Since the government's understanding of the situation also serves as a diplomatic message, the focus is on the way it is expressed.

The government's first strategy, compiled in 2013, described China as "a matter of concern to the international community." When it was revised in 2022, it raised the recognition of China as ``the greatest strategic challenge ever.''

Since then, China has continued to expand its coercive actions in the East and South China Seas, including repeated intrusions into Japan's territorial waters. In the proposals compiled by the Liberal Democratic Party and the Ishin in June, the Liberal Democratic Party limits itself to explaining the facts surrounding China, while the Ishin positions China as a "serious threat."

The government plans to finalize the text based on the results of ruling-party talks that began on the 10th.