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Japan claims China ‘escalating’ military actions
TOKYO, Sept 3, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Japan’s defence chief on Monday warned the
country faces a tough security environment, with China and Russia stepping up
military activity and North Korea posing “imminent threats”.
Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera said China had been “unilaterally
escalating” its military activities in the past year, including carrying out
new airborne operations around Japan and running a nuclear submarine near
disputed East Coast isles.
“China has been rapidly improving its military strength and fast increasing
its military activities,” Onodera told an annual gathering of the top brass
of Japan’s Self-Defense Forces.
“It is unilaterally escalating its military activities in the sea and
aviation spaces around our country. This has become a significant concern for
our country’s defence,” he said.
Onodera made the remarks as Tokyo attempts to improve its tense diplomatic
ties with Beijing, with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to visit Japan’s
biggest trade partner next month.
On coming to power, Abe took a firm position on Japan’s claims to a
disputed island chain in the East China Sea, aggravating tensions with
Beijing.
But he has since softened his rhetoric, and called on China to press North
Korea to give up its nuclear and missile programmes.
Japanese businesses have also voiced desire for closer ties with China to
boost trade.
Onodera said Russia was also flexing its military muscle.
Moscow is planning to hold its biggest drill since the Cold War era and is
bringing powerful weapons, including ground-to-air missiles, to the disputed
Southern Kuril islands, he said.
“We are seeing movement to again push forward its military activities in
the Far East,” he said.
Onodera also repeated that North Korea continues to pose a “serious and
imminent threat” to Japan, despite international diplomacy intended to
convince Pyongyang to denuclearise.
BSS/AFP/MSY/1059 hrs