Japan goes on the offensive with Joint Operations Command, China's PLA Daily says
Japan's launch of a permanent Joint Operations Command clearly signals a stronger offensive capacity and deeper defence ties with the US, China's military mouthpiece said on Wednesday.
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The PLA Daily commentary, authored by specialists from the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, appeared just two days after Japan officially opened the command, unifying Japan's ground, maritime, and air forces.
According to the Japan Times, the move will also enable quicker and coordinated responses to 'possible emergencies – including over democratic Taiwan'.
Chinese officials and military analysts said the development was part of a broader US-led
strategy to encircle China militarily, raising alarm over regional stability and Tokyo's departure from its pacifist constitution.
The new command aimed to 'improve the self-defence forces' command efficiency and cross-domain joint combat capabilities', while simultaneously 'strengthening offensive combat capabilities', the analysis said.
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'From an alliance perspective, the establishment of the Joint Operations Command signifies that Japan-US military coordination has entered a deeply integrated new phase,' the commentary noted.
The PLA analysis further highlighted concerns over Japan's expanding offensive capabilities, particularly its potential for pre-emptive strikes against enemy missile bases. These developments align with Japan's revised 2022 National Security Strategy, emphasising 'counterstrike' capabilities without clear operational limits.
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