JAPAN: Kyodo-Draft Defence White Paper: Sino-Russian Links A 'Grave Concern'

(MNI) London - Kyodo News reports that a draft of the 2025 Defence White Paper, due to be presented to the cabinet as early as July, "criticises the strengthening of cooperation between China and Russia, including military activities, as "a grave concern for our national security." It points out that China and Russia are strengthening their capabilities to hinder other countries' use of space, and that there is a possibility that nations and militaries are involved in cyber attacks." 

• Regarding Japan's security environment, Kyodo reports the draft claiming that "We are facing the greatest challenge since the end of [WWII] and have entered a new era of crisis," The article claims the draft white paper calls China's activities in East Asia "the biggest strategic challenge [Japan has] ever seen,"
• The article claims the draft highlights the risk posed by Sino-Russian cooperation, with Russia's "latest equipment is being deployed in the Far East as well", while Russian planes violate Japanese airspace and its troops continue to "occupy" the Northern Territories (known in Russia as the Kuril Islands).
• Prior to coming to office, PM Shigeru Ishiba had advocated for Japan to take a more prominent role in Indo-Pacific security. US President Donald Trump's demands that all of its allies increase defence expenditure to lift the burden on the US is likely to ensure Japan continues to ramp up military spending over the coming years.