Japan outlines concerns over increased China-Russia cooperation amid Ukraine war

In its annual defence white paper, quickly criticised by Beijing, Tokyo dedicated a section on the impact of Russia’s invasion on Japan’s national security

While Japan anticipates growing military and political cooperation between Russia and China, one expert describes them as ‘dating out of convenience, but not getting married’

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Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on a tank. The nation has released this year’s defence white paper. File photo: AFP

Published: 5:00pm, 22 Jul 2022Updated: 5:22pm, 22 Jul 2022

Japan on Friday released an annual defence white paper that analysts have described as “more realistic and clearer about the threats that surround the nation” and is, in part, designed to keep public support for increased defence spending at a high tempo.

The document – the first report on the security challenges facing Japan since Fumio Kishida became prime minister in October – devotes an entire chapter to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the resulting emergence of two broad camps, one supporting Moscow’s aims and the other an opposing alliance siding with Kyiv.

For Japan, which has supported international sanctions imposed on Russia for its aggression, the primary concern is how the war will impact national security. And it is clear that Tokyo anticipates growing military cooperation between Russia and China in northeast Asia.

“For Russia, which is internationally isolated and has worn out its ground forces due to the aggression against Ukraine, the importance of political and military cooperation with China could increase,” the report states.

A Japanese amphibious vehicle during a 2021 training exercise. Photo: Bloomberg

The paper says measures must be taken to “monitor with concern the possibility that China-Russia military collaboration would deepen”, adding that should that happen, it is likely to have a “direct impact” on Japan’s security environment.