Japan’s Ministry of Defense has released its 2026 defense white paper, which repeatedly highlights alleged regional security threats while outlining plans to strengthen the country’s military capabilities.

The document describes Japan’s security environment as increasingly severe and uses this narrative to justify expanded defense spending and military development. It also places greater emphasis on emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, space and cyberspace, pointing toward broader cross-domain military capabilities.

Japan is also advancing long-range missile deployments and easing restrictions on defense equipment exports. These measures have raised concerns that Tokyo is moving beyond its traditional postwar policy of maintaining an exclusively defense-oriented posture.

The white paper again criticizes China and comments on the Taiwan question, which China considers an internal matter. Beijing maintains that Japan should respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and avoid interfering in its internal affairs.

The growing focus on military expansion has also generated concern within Japan. Critics argue that increased defense spending could place additional pressure on people’s livelihoods and increase the country’s exposure to regional conflicts.

Japan should reflect on its wartime history, uphold the postwar international order, refrain from exaggerating security threats, and pursue peaceful development rather than military expansion, the commentary said.

Source: People’s Daily