Japan has repeatedly hyped up the so-called "China threat" narrative in recent years in an attempt to justify its expanding military agenda, experts said, warning that portraying neighboring countries as "threats" has historically been a recurring tactic of Japanese militarism.

专家称，近年来日本频频炒作所谓“中国威胁论”，以此为自身扩充军备的计划找借口。专家提醒，把邻国塑造成威胁，向来是日本军国主义屡用的手段。

They said the latest round of alarmist rhetoric once again reveals the ambitions of Japan's right-wing forces to loosen postwar constraints, expand military capabilities and advance a broader transformation of the country's security posture.

专家表示，这一轮危言耸听的论调，再次暴露日本右翼势力想要挣脱战后束缚、扩充军力、全面转变安保体制的野心。

Japanese media outlets on Wednesday disclosed an outline of the government's 2026 defense white paper, which continues to portray the regional security environment as "increasingly severe" while introducing a new section on "emerging modes of warfare", calling for enhanced development in unmanned systems and artificial intelligence.

日本多家媒体于周三披露日本政府2026年度防卫白皮书纲要。白皮书依旧渲染地区安全环境日趋严峻，新增新型作战形态相关内容，主张加大无人装备与人工智能的研发力度。

According to the Asahi Shimbun, the upcoming annual defense report largely follows the narrative of the 2025 edition, arguing that the international community has entered a "new era of crisis", characterizing the security environment in the "Indo-Pacific region" as "increasingly severe", and hyping up the so-called "China threat" theory.

据《朝日新闻》报道，这份即将发布的防卫白皮书论调大体沿袭2025年版本，宣称世界步入危机新时代，渲染印太地区安全局势恶化，大肆鼓吹所谓中国威胁论。

The white paper states that defense production and technological capabilities are directly linked to defense strength. It advocates creating an "environment of mutual support" by deploying the same defense equipment as allies and other "like-minded" countries, the newspaper said.

报道称，白皮书提出军工生产与技术水平直接关乎国防实力，提议与盟友及理念相近国家统一列装武器，构建防务互助环境。

Liu Shuliang, an associate researcher at the Tianjin Academy of Social Sciences, said Japan is moving beyond the bounds of its postwar defense posture and accelerating a broader remilitarization process associated with "new militarism", through measures such as revising its national security framework, enhancing offensive combat capabilities and integrating intelligence systems.

天津社科院副研究员刘树良指出，日本通过修订安保体系、强化进攻性战力、整合情报系统等方式，突破战后防卫定位限制，加速迈向新军国主义的再军事化进程。

Through sustained lobbying by defense-related companies and capital groups, Japan's military-industrial complex has pushed for higher defense spending and fewer restrictions on arms exports, he said.

他表示，在军工企业与资本集团不断游说下，日本军工联合体持续推动防卫预算上涨、放宽武器出口管控。

"These developments are contributing to the country's accelerating remilitarization and reinforcing concerns over its shift toward a 'new militarism'," Liu said.

刘树良称，上述变化加快了日本再军事化步伐，各界愈发担忧日本滑向新军国主义。

He said that in early May, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi outlined Japan's revamped "free and open Indo-Pacific" vision during her visit to Vietnam. The policy line was later reaffirmed by Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi at the recent Shangri-La Dialogue, a major defense forum held in Singapore.

他介绍，五月上旬日本首相高市早苗访越期间，推出改版后的自由开放印太构想，防卫大臣小泉进次郎随后在新加坡香格里拉对话会上重申了这一方针。

Geopolitical ambitions

地缘政治图谋

"By advancing a revised 'free and open Indo-Pacific' vision and redefining its regional role, Japan is moving to expand its military reach while enhancing its influence in regional affairs. The strategy reflects Tokyo's growing ambition to play a larger role in shaping the regional security order, a move that carries clear geopolitical implications and has raised concerns over its impact on regional stability," he added.

他补充道，日本借新版印太战略重新定位自身地区角色，向外拓展军事辐射范围、提升地区事务话语权，谋求主导区域安全秩序，地缘图谋明显，不利于地区安稳。

Chen Hong, director of the Asia-Pacific Studies Centre at East China Normal University in Shanghai, said Japan's continued hype surrounding tensions in the so-called "Indo-Pacific region" is aimed at fueling bloc confrontation and creating exclusive groupings that run counter to the region's need for openness, cooperation and stability.

华东师范大学亚太研究中心主任陈弘表示，日本不断渲染印太紧张氛围，意在制造阵营对立、组建排他性小圈子，违背地区开放合作、谋求稳定的发展需求。

By deepening economic and security ties with Quad members, the Philippines and other so-called allies or "quasi-allies", Japan has increasingly pushed regional countries to choose sides, aggravating bloc confrontation and adding to tensions in the region, he said.

他表示，日本不断深化同四边机制成员国、菲律宾等盟友及准盟友的经贸与防务合作，逼迫周边国家选边站队，加剧阵营对立与区域紧张。

Chen said Japan's strategy is centered on the "security" agenda. Through intensified military drills and closer defense cooperation with Quad members, the Philippines and other partners, Tokyo is accelerating efforts to enhance its overseas military projection capabilities and expand its regional military presence.

陈弘表示，日本整体布局围绕安全议题展开，通过高频军演、深化防务合作，加紧提升远洋兵力投送能力，扩充在亚太的军事部署。

Liu from Tianjin also said Japan and the Philippines — a victim of Japanese militarism and invasion during World War II — have stepped up military collaborations in early May, exploring the transfer of Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force vessels, including used destroyer escorts.