海角大神

鈥� A daily summary of global reports on security issues.

Japan has released its first 鈥渨hite paper鈥� since Prime Minister Shinzo Abe returned to power, claiming China is seeking to 鈥渃hange the status quo by force.鈥�

The report ratchets up tensions between the two countries, which have simmered in recent months over the territorial dispute over uninhabited island in the East China Sea.

According to the report, quoted by The Wall Street Journal:

China has already counterattacked by calling the annual report full of 鈥渦ntruthful accusations.鈥�

China's maritime activities are lawful and peaceful, while Japan has recently 鈥減layed up the China threat, causing tensions and confrontation,"聽said聽Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying,聽according to Voice of America, adding; "And the international community cannot help but worry over where Japan is heading.鈥�

This year's report contains 鈥渕ore nationalist rhetoric and adopted a far more vigilant tone than in previous years in describing the regional security challenges the country faces and how it plans to respond to them,鈥� according to The聽Wall Street Journal.聽聽聽

That's a worrisome development for both sides that say resolution seems increasingly difficult, as 海角大神 reported in March.

The territorial dispute has lasted for decades between the two nations but hit a low in September, after Japan purchased three of five islands by a private owner.

The tone of the defense report might be political, as a professor in Tokyo tells Bloomberg News:聽

The white paper outlines the first budget increase for defense in 11 years. And it's worried Japan's other neighbors as well.

Even though it criticizes nuclear development in North Korea, it has also angered South Korea, as VOA notes:聽