Japan indicates China is bigger threat than North Korea in latest defence review

For the first time, Japan’s Defence White Paper had a section on China right after the US, pushing North Korea into third position. Russia was fourth.

China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative was identified as an emerging strategic threat, with suggestions China could use this to push its army into the Indian and Pacific Oceans

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A Japanese helicopter prepares to land on the flight deck of the Izumo. Photo: AP

Published: 11:18am, 27 Sep 2019Updated: 10:16pm, 27 Sep 2019

China’s growing military might has replaced North Korean belligerence as the main security threat to Japan, Tokyo’s annual defence review indicated on Thursday, despite signs that Pyongyang could have nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles.

The document’s security assessment on China comes after a section on Japan’s ally, the US, the first time Beijing has achieved second place in the Defence White Paper and pushing North Korea into third position.

Russia, deemed by Japan as its primary threat during the cold war, was in fourth place.

“It is a reflection of the fact that only United States and China can project their influence globally,” a Ministry of Defence official told a news briefing.

The report also identified Beijing’s belt and road infrastructure investments in other countries as an emerging strategic threat. The paper suggested China could use this initiative to push its People’s Liberation Army into the Indian and Pacific Ocean regions, threatening regional security.