The increasing power of China and its military activity are causing expanding concern in the world. NATO Secretary-General, Mark Rutte, expressed concerns during his visit to Japan about the expansion of China's arsenal, their support for Russia and exercises close Taiwan. The defence minister of Japan, Gen Nakatani, announced the country's readiness to participate in the Natatian mission to Ukraine (NSATU).
China supports Russia's efforts, expanding their armed forces, including the Navy, at a fast pace. Rutte, summarizing his visit to the port of the nipponese Navy Yokosuka, said that NATO is anxiously observing the maneuvers of the Chinese army close Taiwan. Japan sees China as a threat in the region and in fresh years has intensified the improvement of the Self-defense Force, preparing, among others, to get impact capabilities in the form of long-range maneuvering missiles.
Beijing usually reacts critically to the modernization of the arsenal and military cooperation of Tokyo. Japan expanded its defence ties with another countries in the Indo-Pacific region, including South Korea, Australia and fresh Zealand, creating a alleged IP4 group or Philippines, as well as with the North Atlantic Alliance states.
In 2022 Japan spent about $50.3 billion on defence, accounting for about 1% of its GDP. According to plans by the nipponese government, defence spending is expected to increase to around 2% of GDP over the next fewer years. Minister Nakatani, who met Rutte in Tokyo on Tuesday, said that Japan wanted to participate in the NATO safety and Training Support Mission for Ukraine (NSATU) and asked for the improvement of “necessary procedures”.
The United States plans to deploy long-range MQ-4C Triton reflection drones on Okinawa Island, in the confederate part of the nipponese archipelago close Taiwan. Rutte said in an interview with Nakatani that China, North Korea and Russia are intensifying their military exercises and cooperation, "during global security, meaning that what is happening in the Euro-Atlantic region is crucial in the Indo-Pacific region and vice versa."
Rutte, who first visited Japan since taking over the position of NATO chief in October last year, is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba on Wednesday, who is known for his thought of creating an Asian alliance like NATO. In 2022 NATO and Japan signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of safety and defence, which includes cooperation on cybersecurity, the fight against terrorism and the improvement of military capabilities.
Due to expanding safety concerns in the Indo-Pacific region, Japan and the United States plan to intensify military and training cooperation. In 2023 Japan and the United States conducted a full of more than 100 joint military exercises, including Keen Sword exercises, which are among the largest military exercises in the world. These exercises aim to improve cooperation and coordination between the armed forces of Japan and the United States, as well as to strengthen safety in the Indo-Pacific region.
Over the coming years, Japan plans to increase its commitment to safety in the Indo-Pacific region, including through its participation in peacekeeping missions and humanitarian operations. Japan is besides an active associate of the Asia-Pacific Region Forum (ARF), which is simply a platform for discussion and cooperation on safety issues in the Indo-Pacific region. In 2022 Japan hosted the ARF Summit, which discussed issues specified as maritime security, the fight against terrorism and economical development.
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Security of the Shadow planet China