Overview

• The 2025 defense white paper names China’s rapid build-up around its Nansei islands into Pacific waters as Japan’s foremost strategic challenge.
• Chinese warship transits off southwestern Japan have tripled over three years, including frequent passages between Taiwan and Yonaguni.
• Joint exercises by China and Russia are highlighted as intensifying risks amid growing cross-strait tensions.
• North Korea’s deployment of nuclear-capable and solid-fuel missiles is deemed an increasingly serious and imminent threat.
• Japan has accelerated troop deployments on its southwestern islands, plans to station long-range cruise missiles and lodged protests over close-call Chinese fighter jet confrontations.