Story perspectives

Japan’s defence white paper warns China, lifts weapons export ban

8/4/2026

Summary

Japan Warns China

Japan’s government issued a defence white paper linking military buildup to economic growth and warning that China’s expanding carrier force and operations pose a major strategic challenge.
China’s defence ministry spokesperson Chen Xi called the paper false and accused Japan of neo-militarism.
Japan’s defence spending equals 2 % of GDP, with a 122.3 trillion yen budget to March 2027 and a 3.1 trillion yen supplement that will fund missiles over 1,000 km and drones.

Summary

Japan Lifts Ban

The government lifted its ban on lethal weapons exports to boost the defence industry.
The Acquisition, Technology and Logistics Agency shortlisted four of 38 drone firms, with navy testing in August.
Toshiba announced a joint combat-drone project with startup Pro Drone, pairing a major electronics maker with a defence newcomer.
Tokyo secured a deal to transfer 11 upgraded Mogami-class frigates to Australia and is negotiating deals with New Zealand and the Philippines.

History

Historical Context

In 2014 Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s cabinet reinterpreted Article 9 to permit collective self-defence, a shift first enabled by the 2015 security legislation that let the JSDF support allies in combat. The December 2022 National Security Strategy raised defence spending to 2 % of GDP, targeting a budget of about ¥8.9 trillion by 2027 and funding long-range missiles such as the Type 25 SSM deployed in March 2026.

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Japan Warns China

Japan’s government issued a defence white paper linking military buildup to economic growth and warning that China’s expanding carrier force and operations pose a major strategic challenge.
China’s defence ministry spokesperson Chen Xi called the paper false and accused Japan of neo-militarism.
Japan’s defence spending equals 2 % of GDP, with a 122.3 trillion yen budget to March 2027 and a 3.1 trillion yen supplement that will fund missiles over 1,000 km and drones.

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