The Japanese cabinet on Tuesday released a defense white paper for 2015, which gave a significant portion to hyping up "China's military threat."
In the 2015 edition of the paper, Japan described activities of China's vessels and aircraft around the East and South China seas as "risk conducts that may cause unwanted clashes," claiming that "the situation jeopardizing freedom of navigation and overflight in the region was happening."
The report also "expressed concerns" over China's recent reclamation work in the South China Sea, saying it had escalated regional tensions. Moreover, it added a new section on maritime activities elsewhere.
Analysts believed that by fanning up "China threat," the Abe administration found excuses for formulating a more aggressive new national defense policy, for remolding its Self-Defense Forces and for amending the post-war pacifist constitution.
The trick is not new. Such claims have been recurrent in Japan's defense white papers for more than 20 years, and especially since Shinzo Abe first became prime minister in 2006.
Following are the main attack points of Japan's defense white papers over recent years.
In 2014, the annual white paper changed the reinterpretation of the country's pacifist Constitution for the right to collective self-defense, which paved the way for sending Japanese soldiers on battle missions overseas to defend Japan and "countries with close ties."
Analysts said that such contents of the white paper exposed the Abe administration's ambition to make Japan a military power in the region, showing that Japan is trying to get rid of post-war restrictions.
The Japanese government also pointed finger at the establishment of the East China Sea Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) by the Chinese government, which is China's legitimate right and in line with international laws and practices.
Moreover, Japan concocted for the first time "Russia threat," claiming that Russian military activities in its surrounding sea areas pose a serious threat to Japan's security.
The white paper for 2013, the first issue under Abe's second term of office, expressed concern over the nuclear and missile development programs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), saying the country's ballistic missiles are potentially capable of reaching the U.S. mainland.
In 2012, its white paper expressed grave concern over China's military expenditure, and pointed finger at the Diaoyu Islands and nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula.
The 2011 white paper played up "China threat," nitpicking at China's defense expenditure growth and military modernization drive in the manner of a backseat driver.
Japan released its first white paper on defense in 1970 and has been compiling new versions annually since 1976.
