Japan looks to Australia, India, Europe to help counter China
Defense white paper shows greater focus on relations with like-minded countries
Japan Ground Self-Defense Force members and Australian military personnel conduct joint training. (Japanese Defense Ministry)
SHINNOSUKE NAGATOMI
TOKYO -- Japan detailed plans for security cooperation with Australia, India, Europe and others in its 2025 defense white paper, as Tokyo looks to like-minded countries to supplement its alliance with the U.S. in deterring China's maritime expansion.
Warnings about China stand out in this year's edition of the annual document, released by the Defense Ministry on Tuesday. The report details the possibility that China could use "gray zone" incidents -- which can include military intimidation, blockades and other non-armed attacks -- to invade Taiwan while avoiding intervention by the U.S. military.
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