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| Japan sets out defence strategy amid China tensions | Japan sets out defence strategy amid China tensions |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Japan's cabinet has approved a new national security strategy and increased defence spending in a move widely seen as aimed at China. | Japan's cabinet has approved a new national security strategy and increased defence spending in a move widely seen as aimed at China. |
| Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drones, aircraft and amphibious vehicles. | Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drones, aircraft and amphibious vehicles. |
| The military will also build a new marine unit, an amphibious force capable of retaking islands. | |
| The move comes with Tokyo embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over East China Sea islands that both claim. | The move comes with Tokyo embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over East China Sea islands that both claim. |
| It reflects concern over China's growing assertiveness over its territorial claims and Beijing's mounting defence spending. | It reflects concern over China's growing assertiveness over its territorial claims and Beijing's mounting defence spending. |
| "China's stance toward other countries and military moves, coupled with a lack of transparency regarding its military and national security policies, represent a concern to Japan and the wider international community and require close watch," the national security draft said. | "China's stance toward other countries and military moves, coupled with a lack of transparency regarding its military and national security policies, represent a concern to Japan and the wider international community and require close watch," the national security draft said. |
| 'Transparent' | 'Transparent' |
| Japan first increased defence spending in January, after a decade of cuts. | Japan first increased defence spending in January, after a decade of cuts. |
| Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was elected a year ago, has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military - something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution. | Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who was elected a year ago, has called for Japan to broaden the scope of activities performed by its military - something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution. |
| He has also established a National Security Council that can oversee key issues. | He has also established a National Security Council that can oversee key issues. |
| Approving the national security strategy made Japan's foreign and security policy "clear and transparent - for both the Japanese people and all the world to see", he said. | Approving the national security strategy made Japan's foreign and security policy "clear and transparent - for both the Japanese people and all the world to see", he said. |
| The announcement comes weeks after China established an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan. | The announcement comes weeks after China established an air defence identification zone (ADIZ) over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan. |
| It says all aircraft transiting the zone must obey certain rules, such as filing flight plans, or face "measures". | It says all aircraft transiting the zone must obey certain rules, such as filing flight plans, or face "measures". |
| Japan, US and South Korea - which claims a rock that lies within China's declared zone - have strongly criticised the move, with the US calling it a unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the region. | Japan, US and South Korea - which claims a rock that lies within China's declared zone - have strongly criticised the move, with the US calling it a unilateral attempt to change the status quo in the region. |
| China, meanwhile, says it is "closely watching Japan's security strategy and policy direction". | China, meanwhile, says it is "closely watching Japan's security strategy and policy direction". |
| Mr Abe's government says the strategy is a measured and logical response to a real and increasing threat, reports the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo. | Mr Abe's government says the strategy is a measured and logical response to a real and increasing threat, reports the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo. |
| But others point out that Japan's security is already guaranteed by the US, which has tens of thousands of troops in Japan. | But others point out that Japan's security is already guaranteed by the US, which has tens of thousands of troops in Japan. |
| Many on the left here think Mr Abe is using the threat from China to pursue his own nationalist dreams, our correspondent adds. | Many on the left here think Mr Abe is using the threat from China to pursue his own nationalist dreams, our correspondent adds. |