Japan Revises 3 Security Documents: Whether China Is Listed as a "Threat" Becomes Focus
As Japan's government revises its three security-related documents, whether China's military activities will be described as a "threat" is a key focus. Amid rising tensions in Japan-China relations, opinions within the ruling Liberal Democratic Party are divided on the wording.
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- 📰 Published: May 10, 2026 at 22:45
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-Chen, Tokyo, 10th) The Japanese government is expected to revise its three security-related documents within this year, and how to describe China's military activities and regional situation is expected to be a key discussion point. As Japan-China relations remain tense due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary response regarding a "Taiwan contingency," there are also divisions within Japan's ruling bloc over whether to directly use the word "threat" in the documents.
Jiji Press reported that during the previous revision of security documents in 2022, the Liberal Democratic Party advocated for defining China's military activities as a "major security threat." However, the then-ruling coalition partner Komeito opposed this, deeming the wording too provocative and potentially inciting confrontation. Ultimately, the section directly related to China in the "National Security Strategy" was changed to phrases like "serious concern" and "unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge."
At that time, China, dissatisfied with then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, launched ballistic missiles around Taiwan, with some even falling into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), escalating regional tensions. Therefore, Japan mentioned the missile launch incident in the "National Defense Strategy," one of the three documents, stating that "regional residents are threatened," thereby indirectly incorporating the perception of China as a threat.
On the other hand, for North Korea, the Japanese government has explicitly stated it as a "grave and imminent threat" in both the "National Security Strategy" and the "National Defense Strategy."
In recent years, China's military expansion and maritime activities have continued to increase. Last year, two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously near the "Second Island Chain" in the Pacific, connecting the Ogasawara Islands and Guam; moreover, joint flights by Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets have become increasingly frequent.
The LDP's Security Research Commission is currently discussing two major issues: the decline in US military superiority and the deepening of China-Russia strategic cooperation. A source from the LDP said, "The situation has deteriorated more than before; it's impossible to use the same wording as before."
However, there are also cautious voices within the Japanese government. A former foreign minister pointed out that directly labeling China as a "threat" would only provoke strong backlash from Beijing, and a more skillful phrasing should be used.
In fact, the Japanese government's current official stance is still to establish a "strategic mutually beneficial relationship" with China and pursue a "constructive and stable relationship." Sanae Takaichi also continues to call for "keeping dialogue open between both sides."
On the other hand, Sanae Takaichi has also continued to promote more conservative security policies, based on the joint ruling cooperation framework with the Japan Innovation Party, including the recent revision of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and related operational guidelines, which made arms exports possible in principle. China expressed "serious concern" about this, and bilateral friction subsequently increased.
Currently, the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party are separately compiling key revision points for the three security documents and are expected to submit their recommendations to the government by early June. A government official admitted, "Explicitly stating 'threat' may not bring any benefits," and pointed out, "If the Japan Innovation Party advocates a hardline stance, how to strike a balance will become the focus of the revision work." (Editor: Tian Rui-Hua) 1150510
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-Chen, Tokyo, 10th) The Japanese government is expected to revise its three security-related documents within this year, and how to describe China's military activities and regional situation is expected to be a key discussion point. As Japan-China relations remain tense due to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary response regarding a "Taiwan contingency," there are also divisions within Japan's ruling bloc over whether to directly use the word "threat" in the documents.
Jiji Press reported that during the previous revision of security documents in 2022, the Liberal Democratic Party advocated for defining China's military activities as a "major security threat." However, the then-ruling coalition partner Komeito opposed this, deeming the wording too provocative and potentially inciting confrontation. Ultimately, the section directly related to China in the "National Security Strategy" was changed to phrases like "serious concern" and "unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge."
At that time, China, dissatisfied with then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, launched ballistic missiles around Taiwan, with some even falling into Japan's exclusive economic zone (EEZ), escalating regional tensions. Therefore, Japan mentioned the missile launch incident in the "National Defense Strategy," one of the three documents, stating that "regional residents are threatened," thereby indirectly incorporating the perception of China as a threat.
On the other hand, for North Korea, the Japanese government has explicitly stated it as a "grave and imminent threat" in both the "National Security Strategy" and the "National Defense Strategy."
In recent years, China's military expansion and maritime activities have continued to increase. Last year, two Chinese aircraft carriers operated simultaneously near the "Second Island Chain" in the Pacific, connecting the Ogasawara Islands and Guam; moreover, joint flights by Chinese and Russian bombers and fighter jets have become increasingly frequent.
The LDP's Security Research Commission is currently discussing two major issues: the decline in US military superiority and the deepening of China-Russia strategic cooperation. A source from the LDP said, "The situation has deteriorated more than before; it's impossible to use the same wording as before."
However, there are also cautious voices within the Japanese government. A former foreign minister pointed out that directly labeling China as a "threat" would only provoke strong backlash from Beijing, and a more skillful phrasing should be used.
In fact, the Japanese government's current official stance is still to establish a "strategic mutually beneficial relationship" with China and pursue a "constructive and stable relationship." Sanae Takaichi also continues to call for "keeping dialogue open between both sides."
On the other hand, Sanae Takaichi has also continued to promote more conservative security policies, based on the joint ruling cooperation framework with the Japan Innovation Party, including the recent revision of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment" and related operational guidelines, which made arms exports possible in principle. China expressed "serious concern" about this, and bilateral friction subsequently increased.
Currently, the LDP and the Japan Innovation Party are separately compiling key revision points for the three security documents and are expected to submit their recommendations to the government by early June. A government official admitted, "Explicitly stating 'threat' may not bring any benefits," and pointed out, "If the Japan Innovation Party advocates a hardline stance, how to strike a balance will become the focus of the revision work." (Editor: Tian Rui-Hua) 1150510
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "Firsthand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.