TOKYO: The 2024 Japanese defense white paper will emphasize that North Korea is focusing on achieving qualitative improvement in its nuclear and missile capabilities, Jiji Press learned Wednesday.

While maintaining its view that the military balance between China and Taiwan is rapidly tilting in favor of the Chinese side, the Defense Ministry will say that Taiwan is strengthening its own defense efforts in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, according to an early draft of the upcoming annual report.

Last year, North Korea fired new Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. It also launched a military reconnaissance satellite.

North Korea is moving to diversify its equipment systems and secure intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance means to supplement its nuclear and missile operational capabilities, the draft said.

The draft expressed a strong sense of crisis again over China’s military, viewed as the “greatest strategic challenge” in Japan’s National Security Strategy revised in 2022.

China’s military activities around Taiwan seem to be aimed at creating a fait accompli and improving practical combat capabilities, the draft said.

The draft also referred to fighting between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas in the Palestinian territory of Gaza that began in October last year. Peace and stability in the Middle East is extremely important for the peace and prosperity of the international community including Japan, it emphasized.

The Russian military has deployed the latest equipment in the Far East as well in recent years, the draft said, showing strong security concerns about Russian moves, including its strategic cooperation with China.

The draft also highlighted Japan’s efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities, including the planned establishment of a joint operations command for the Ground, Maritime and Air Self-Defense Forces at the end of fiscal 2024.

It also mentioned the introduction of U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missiles now slated for fiscal 2025, a year ahead of the previous schedule.

While this year marks the 70th anniversary of the SDF’s establishment, the 2024 defense white paper will be the 50th edition, with the first one released in 1970.

JIJI Press