Japan won’t explicitly call China a “threat” ... Pursues deterrence and dialogue

【Financial News correspondent Seo Hye-jin in Tokyo】The Japanese government is considering retaining the current wording that describes China as the “greatest strategic challenge” in the National Security Strategy, which it plans to revise this year, the Yomiuri Shimbun reported on the 9th. It does not plan to use the word “threat,” as demanded by conservative members of the ruling party. The government’s view is that it can strengthen deterrence against China while keeping the door open to dialogue aimed at improving relations.
According to the Yomiuri Shimbun, the Japanese government is discussing wording for the new National Security Strategy to the effect that China “continues to be the greatest strategic challenge.” The specific phrasing will be worked out going forward.
The National Security Strategy is the top-level guideline among Japan’s three key security documents. Since it sets out Japan’s view of the international situation and its response, how it describes China is also seen as a diplomatic message.
In the strategy it first adopted in 2013, Japan described China as a “concern.” In its 2022 revision, it raised its level of vigilance by describing China’s external posture and military trends as “an unprecedentedly great strategic challenge.”
Ahead of this revision, the Japan Innovation Party proposed explicitly designating China, alongside North Korea, as a “serious threat.” Conservative members of the ruling party also called for a stronger stance toward China.
However, views are reportedly dominant within the government that “the word ‘challenge’ is already quite strong, and it would be difficult to find diplomatic advantages in going further.” The view is that there is no need to raise the strength of the wording and narrow the scope for improving relations with China.
U.S. policy toward China also played a role. The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump does not describe China as a “threat” in its National Security Strategy. Analysts say Japan’s judgment reflects a desire to stay in step with the United States, which seeks stable relations even as it competes with China for dominance in the military, economic and technological fields.

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