Tension between Japan and China

Tension is already at its peak between Japan and China regarding Taiwan. And meanwhile, Japan has provoked China by sending deadly Patriot missile interceptor to America. Beijing has given a strong reaction calling this step a very dangerous sign.

China’s official newspaper Global Times, in a direct attack on Japan, said that Tokyo is no longer keeping any control on arms exports. Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng described this as a step that could give rise to dangerous reactions.

China’s strong attack – Japan is no longer exercising restraint

Chinese military expert Zhang Xuefeng said that the export of Patriot missiles would become a template for Japan. Now he can send even more deadly weapons into the world. China’s concern is clear – a Japan that is trying to increase its military power by breaking the limits of its peaceful constitution. According to Japanese media, America will use these missiles to replenish its defense stock because its weapons stockpile is continuously becoming empty due to the Ukraine war.

Japan’s changed policy, now it is easier to send weapons

In fact, strict rules were in force on the export of arms in Japan for years. Under the Three Principles on Defense Transfer, Japan could not sell or send lethal weapons. But in 2023, Tokyo changed this policy, allowing America to send Patriot missiles, after which Japan is continuously working on strengthening its defense industry and increasing weapons production.

Why did tension increase between the two countries?

The root of the worsening situation is Taiwan. Japan’s new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had said in Parliament that if China attacks Taiwan, it will be considered a threat to Japan’s security. And in this situation Japan can deploy its army. This statement was extremely distasteful to China. Beijing called it a return to Japan’s old war mentality and stopped many cultural and economic programs.

What does Japan want?

Chinese defense analysts claim that Japan now wants to strengthen its defense industry by manufacturing, improving and exporting American weapon systems. Besides, it is also trying to increase political influence by providing arms to countries like Philippines and Australia. Prime Minister Takaichi has already said that Japan will increase its defense budget to 2% of GDP.