Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Japan are escalating, particularly regarding military actions and alliances with the US.
• China criticizes Japan’s military maneuvers and warns against misguidance from Japan’s allies.
• Japan is focusing on strengthening its defense ties with the US amid regional security concerns.
• Both nations are navigating complex historical grievances, particularly regarding wartime actions.
• Recent natural disasters, such as earthquakes in Japan, highlight ongoing domestic challenges.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• China expresses hope that Japan’s allies will not be misled by Japan’s actions.
• Chinese media warns that Japan’s military provocations could destabilize Asia.
• Calls for international accountability regarding Japan’s historical wartime actions, particularly Unit 731 atrocities.
• Criticism of Japan’s defense strategies as attempts to gain support from the US, seen as a miscalculation.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan is concerned about China’s increasing military assertiveness in the region.
• Japanese officials are strengthening defense ties with the US in response to perceived threats from China.
• Speculation about internal political changes in China, including potential purges within the Politburo.
• Japan’s recent earthquake and its aftermath are significant domestic issues overshadowing international tensions.

Sources

This summary is based on 20 articles from the following sources:

1. [en-US] Spokesperson: China hopes Japan’s allies won’t be misguided by Japanese side - news.cgtn.com (12/12/2025)
2. [en-US] Japan, US defence chiefs discuss China; Mexico’s tariffs: SCMP daily highlights - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
3. [en-US] Provocative Japanese actions risk plunging Asia into peril: PLA Daily - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
4. [en-US] Japan’s defense chief holds phone call with US counterpart amid criticism over ‘radar illumination’; attempt to gain support miscalculation: expert - Global Times (12/12/2025)
5. [en-US] China’s ‘most beautiful’ bodyguard, Asia’s fastest man retires: 7 highlights - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
6. [en-US] China urged to bring Japan’s Unit 731 atrocities to international court - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
7. [en-US] Japan overplayed its hand at the table of great powers - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
8. [en-US] Japan lifts tsunami warning after magnitude 6.7 earthquake - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
9. [en-US] Watch the last start of every HK Mile runner, including Japan’s Embroidery - South China Morning Post (12/12/2025)
10. [en-US] Nanjing Massacre a symbol of inhumanity, barbarity of Japanese militarism; historical truth irrefutable: Russian FM spokesperson - Global Times (12/12/2025)
11. [en-US] China Politburo member misses key meeting, raising purge speculation - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
12. [en-US] Japan companies cut Trump tariff impact by $2bn, helped by price hikes - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
13. [en-US] Bank of Japan set for first rate hike in 11 months - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
14. [en-US] America’s Indo-Pacific strategy moves at the pace of Trump’s impulses - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
15. [en-US] Public support for Takaichi’s Cabinet ebbs to 59.9%, survey shows - The Japan Times (12/12/2025)
16. [en-US] Australia to fund $120 million in undersea cables for Papua New Guinea - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
17. [en-US] Trump can balance China and Japan alliance despite row, White House says - The Japan Times (12/12/2025)
18. [en-US] ‘Kuma’ selected as kanji of the year after surge in bear sightings and attacks - The Japan Times (12/12/2025)
19. [en-US] Taiwan opens sovereign AI data center with Nvidia-powered supercomputer - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
20. [en-US] Magnitude 6.7 earthquake hits Japan’s northeast region - 朝日新聞 (12/12/2025)