Japan warns of rising global tension in wake of Russia-China military ties

A Japanese Ground-Self Defence Force (JGDDF) Type 90 tank fires its gun at a target during an annual drill exercise as Japan tries to bolster its military capability and spending (Eugene Hoshiko/AP/PA)

Japan warned of escalating national security threats stemming from Russia’s war on Ukraine and China’s tensions with Taiwan in an annual defence paper, as Japan tries to bolster its military capability and spending.

The annual defence white paper, approved by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s Cabinet on Friday, highlights the need for Japan’s military build-up to address security concerns and seeks to gain public support for a stronger military and increased budget, which Mr Kishida’s governing party aims to double in coming years.