Japan defence review expresses 'deep concern' at Chinese coercion

reuters ^ | 08/02/2016 | Tim Kelly

[BenLurkin]

In the defence review approved by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government, Japan warned that "unintended consequences" could result from Beijing's assertive disregard of international rules.

"China is poised to fulfil its unilateral demands without compromise," the government said in the review.

China's official Xinhua news agency condemned the review for hyping up the "China threat" theory, which aimed to tarnish the country's image.

In a statement, China's defence ministry said Japan sought excuses to step up military spending, accusing it of "evil intentions" towards China's legitimate defence needs.

"China's military is extremely dissatisfied with this and resolutely opposed to it," it said.

China claims most of the 3.5-million-square-km (1.35- million-square-mile) South China Sea, with Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and Vietnam also staking claims.

Japan has no territorial claims there, but it fears Chinese military bases will bolster Beijing's influence over a region through which $5 trillion in trade passes every year, much of it to and from Japanese ports.

Rather than confront China directly by sailing warships past its man-made island bases in the sea, Japan provides equipment and training to Southeast Asian nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam that are most opposed to China's territorial ambitions.

...Japan has Asia's second-biggest indigenous navy.

The defence review noted China's growing capability to threaten naval vessels with its growing armoury of anti-ship missiles.

At 484 pages, Japan's report is more than a tenth longer than last year's, and lays out other security concerns, such as the threat from neighbouring North Korea's ballistic missile and nuclear bomb programmes and a revival of Russian military strength in the Far East.

[rfreedom4u]

I am confident that the Japanese navy could win in a toe to toe confrontation with the Chinese navy.

[Candor7]

Japan needs to push its weapons development and acquisition to the MAX.

Make it so obviously mutually destructive that the Chinese will NEVER dare to accost Japan or the Ryu Ku Isands, which now are being targeted by Red China’s community organizing operatives working to turn the population into an anti-USA haven.

I would love to see South Korea , Taiwan,Japan, The Philippines, Australia and the USA enter into an updated alliance pact much like NATO.

[MichaelRDanger]

I think you could probably add India to the list. China would find herself isolated rather quickly if she pushes too hard...

[muleskinner]

I’m disappointed, but not surprised, that this article has received little interest or comment.
When the missiles start flying and U.S. Navy and allies ships start sinking, the political adrenalin junkies on this site might refocus on more critical issues than Men to Receive Free Milk Bag transplants...or some such nonsense.