Defense Minister of Japan Says China a Bigger Threat than North Korea

Japan’s Minister of Defense has said that China is has replaced North Korea as the main threat to Japan’s security. Speaking at Tokyo’s annual defense review he said China is rapidly increasing military spending is concerning.

During a press briefing, Taro Kono, Minister of Defence said “The reality is that China is rapidly increasing military spending. “China is deploying air and sea assets in the Western Pacific region. Through the Tsushima Strait into the Sea of Japan with greater frequency”, he added.

Japan has raised defense spending by a tenth over the past seven years to counter military advances by China and Pyongyang. Including defenses against North Korean missiles which may carry nuclear warheads.

Earlier this year, North Korea has conducted a number of short-range missile launches that Tokyo believes show Pyongyang is developing projectiles to evade its Aegis ballistic missile defenses.

Japans Signs Trade Deal with United States

Earlier this week, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe signed a limited trade deal that cuts tariffs on US farm goods. Japanese machine tools and other products while further staving off the threat of higher US car duties.

During a bilateral meeting at the UN, Trump and Abe signed the agreement they had reached during the G7 summit.

Japan will gradually reduce tariffs on; American beef and pork and cheese; as well as eliminate excises on almonds; walnuts, blueberries, currants, corn and broccoli altogether; according to the US foreign trade authorities.

China has frequently rebuffed concerns about its military spending and intentions. Including a ramped-up presence in the disputed South China Sea. Saying it only desires peaceful development.

South Korean government officials have also taken issue with the ownership of an island in the Sea of Japan that is also claimed and controlled by South Korea.

The outcrop is known as Dokdo in Seoul and Takeshima in Tokyo.

“Our government strongly protests Japan’s repeated claim. The Japanese government should acknowledge that it is not helpful for bilateral relations,” South Korea’s foreign ministry said in a statement.

Source: The Statesman/ANN