Politics Reuters: China alarmed by Japan's growing military role under Takaichi

[thomas]

Reuters argues that Japan, under Takaichi, is becoming a more assertive military power, closely aligned with the United States to deter China, particularly over Taiwan. At the same time, Beijing increasingly views this shift as a serious threat.

China's military publications have abruptly taken a much more anti-Japanese tone; the People's Liberation Army Daily said in March that Japan's declared stock of around 44 metric tons of plutonium was enough for 5,500 atomic warheads, if it wished to build them. It said Japan had worked "systematically" ‌to cultivate its defence ⁠industry "under the covers of civilian technology", preparing for a "strategic shift in defence policy and unleashing its military-industrial potential". Japanese officials say it is simply responding to the actions of China, whose military manuals have long suggested that controlling Taiwan would make it much easier to blockade or "starve" Japan in any future conflict.

As China menaces Taiwan and US grows unpredictable, Japan stands taller

Launched in Seattle in 1943, the U.S. minesweeper Vigilance survived a Japanese submarine and air attack in the United States’ last Pacific war before being transferred to the Philippines in 1967. Last month, decommissioned, she finally met her end in joint drills with the U.S., sunk by the...

www.reuters.com

 

[Kulern]

I like decisive leaders like her

 

[Ukigumo]

…and Trump and Putin and Kim Jong Un…?