Clued-in | Japan's 'neighbors' threats' narrative is a sell-directed performance

Cartoon by Yu Zhenjie

Japanese media recently disclosed a draft of the Sanae Takaichi administration's first Defense White Paper. The document exaggerates so-called "security challenges" arising from China's development and deliberately portrays China's normal activities in the Pacific as "security threats."

Playing up so-called "China threat" has long been a familiar tactic of Japanese militarism to justify military expansion. In recent years, Japan has steadily expanded its military posture by frequently participating in overseas joint exercises, seeking to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, easing arms export restrictions, increasing defense spending, and upgrading its intelligence capabilities.

While portraying itself as a "peace-loving nation" on the international stage, Japan has simultaneously been building exclusive blocs and fueling tensions across the Asia-Pacific. Who, then, is the real source of instability? The answer is self-evident.