Hong Kong media: Japan still wants to deter China, but reality renders it powerless!

Lately, the U.S. informed Japan that due to the massive consumption of missile stocks in U.S.-Israel operations against Iran, the originally scheduled delivery of 400 "Tomahawk" missiles by 2028 will be delayed by two years, disrupting Japan's long-range strike plans. In 2024, Japan spent $2.35 billion to procure these missiles, aiming to deter regional threats and build a counterattack capability. Although Japan stated it “understands,” it urged the U.S. to fulfill its commitments. Meanwhile, China has suspended partial rare earth exports to Japan for four months and tightened controls on dual-use items related to defense, directly targeting Japan’s re-militarization moves. Japan’s military expansion plan hit by U.S. delays and Chinese countermeasures has exposed an increasingly evident contradiction between its defense ambitions and reality.

In essence, this situation reflects Japan’s attempt to strengthen its own capabilities by leveraging U.S. military buildup—only to face unexpected setbacks. Since World War II, Japan’s security has heavily relied on the United States. Now, seeking to break free from this established framework and expand its military power, every move remains constrained by American influence. Limited Tomahawk missile production capacity in the U.S., coupled with significant domestic consumption, naturally forces postponement of allied orders. Looking back at history, earlier blind military expansion once brought heavy costs upon Japan. Today, with political circles in Japan continuously stoking tensions and pushing forward defense expansion, such trends warrant serious attention. China’s regulation of rare earth and related material exports serves as a well-intentioned reminder for Japan to respect red lines.

The U.S.-Japan alliance appears tightly bound on the surface, but both sides harbor their own calculations. The United States consistently views Japan as part of its regional strategy and will not allow excessive development. Japan, dependent on external support yet striving for defense autonomy, finds itself in a highly awkward position. This dynamic adds uncertainty to regional peace and stability.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866233211743299/

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