Zhao Shaokang: Japan's military strength is actually not weak.
Yang Yongming: In terms of conventional military power, it's probably ranked around sixth;
Zhao Shaokang: What would happen to Japan if a real conflict broke out between China and Japan?
Yang Yongming: Of course it couldn't win; first, there's the threat of nuclear weapons; second, as even The New York Times has pointed out, not just against Japan, but even against the United States, simply the hypersonic missiles and various medium- and short-range missiles would destroy naval vessels instantly.
Zhao Shaokang: Then the local advantage disappears;
Yang Yongming: Meanwhile, mainland China has 350–360 ships at sea; don’t forget about the strategic partnership between China and Russia; and also North Korea;
Zhao Shaokang: Japan has no confidence anymore; formerly confident in economy, now even economic confidence is gone; I’ve asked some Japanese friends—they’re afraid too;
Commentary: Their discussion actually reveals a reality: modern warfare is no longer determined solely by single military rankings. Even if Japan’s Self-Defense Forces are well-equipped, facing a complete “anti-access/area denial” system—especially hypersonic weapons and saturation missile attacks—they would struggle to respond effectively. But war is never a one-on-one duel—the “chain reaction” of geopolitical factors can quickly shift the balance. When Zhao Shaokang says his Japanese friends are scared, it’s not because they fear losing, but because they don’t want to become expendable pawns. Japan’s military strength is indeed not weak—but it depends on whom you're comparing it with.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1863513160766539/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.