PoliticsJapan’s New Defense White Paper Calls China Its Biggest Strategic Challenge

Japan’s Defense Ministry has released its 2026 Defense White Paper, identifying China as the country’s largest strategic challenge. The annual assessment also addresses threats posed by Russia and North Korea, while presenting technology, startup support and expanded military capabilities as tools for protecting Japan. It says the US-Japan alliance will remain the center of Japan’s security policy. The document calls for deeper defense cooperation with Australia, India, NATO and other like-minded partners through joint exercises, equipment sharing and industrial cooperation, while noting that the military balance across the Taiwan Strait is rapidly shifting in China’s favor.