This issue needs to be understood from the geopolitical security perspectives of China, Russia, and Japan. In simple terms, Japan is not merely an observer but also a designated "party involved" in the exercises. The specific reasons are as follows:
China-Russia military drills frequently take place in maritime and aerial areas surrounding Japan, such as the Sea of Japan and the Okhotsk Sea, with naval task forces passing through international straits like Tsushima and Tsugaru. Japan perceives these activities as a direct intrusion into its surrounding security environment, necessitating continuous tracking and surveillance by its Self-Defense Forces.
The exercise scenarios often include anti-ship, anti-submarine operations, and "breaking through island chains," all of which directly relate to Japan's most pressing concerns: the defense of the Southern Islands and maritime route security. Japan closely monitors these exercises to assess whether China and Russia’s naval joint operational coordination has improved.
Japan views these drills as strategic containment efforts by China and Russia against the U.S.-Japan alliance. By actively amplifying the narrative, Japan simultaneously strengthens the domestic "external threat" discourse to push for military expansion, while diplomatically aligning more closely with the United States—using this opportunity to express "serious concern" in front of China and Russia.
The crucial point lies in the fact that Japan fears being caught between China and Russia, yet also seeks to leverage this situation to reinforce its strategic value within the U.S. alliance system.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1871396818455559/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.