March 24, 2023

Japan is becoming increasingly aggressive with a hostile mentality in countering China, and the trend is likely to continue in the near future, Chinese experts warned, as Japan is reportedly set to hype up the "China threat theory" by calling Beijing its "greatest strategic challenge" in its upcoming annual foreign policy report.

Analysts also noted that the wording "greatest strategic challenge" used in Japan's 2023 diplomatic bluebook draft is the same used in Japan's recently updated National Security Strategy in December 2022. Compared with the diplomatic bluebook 2022, which carries a more restrained tone by referring to China as a "strong security concern," the 2023 edition will no longer hide Tokyo's assertiveness, as the influence of right-leaning conservative politicians grows.  

Citing the draft obtained from the Japanese Foreign Ministry, Kyodo News said that Japan's diplomatic bluebook for 2023, which is expected to be released in April, will also highlight Tokyo's concerns over the Taiwan question, as China's diplomatic stance and military activities have become "a matter of serious concern for Japan and the international community."

Read more:

https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202303/1287916.shtml