| Summary/Abstract |
This paper deals with Japan's current security policy toward China. Both countries have now become major trade and economic partners, but at the same time, their political ties have deteriorated significantly. Over the past decade, the degree of conflict in Japanese-Chinese relations has increased dramatically, despite consistent efforts by Tokyo and Beijing to improve bilateral ties through political and diplomatic measures. Japan is increasingly concerned about China's offensive naval activities in the East and South China Seas, which Tokyo regards as an area of vital interest. The most acute points of confrontation today are the situations around the Senkaku Islands and Taiwan, which could escalate into armed clashes. With the adoption of Tokyo's new National Security Strategy in December 2022, China has in effect been elevated to the main military threat to Japan. Under this strategy, Tokyo has embarked on a course of strengthening its military capabilities, paying particular attention to their offensive component. Moreover, in preparation for responding to the "Chinese threat," Japan is taking measures to qualitatively and quantitatively strengthen military cooperation with the US under a security treaty. The military alliance with the US will remain the cornerstone of Japan's security for the foreseeable future, including with the aim of deterring an increasingly powerful China.
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