Overall Highlights

• Tensions between China and Japan are escalating, particularly around historical grievances and military posturing.
• China commemorates the Nanking Massacre, emphasizing the need for Japan to acknowledge its wartime actions.
• Japan is enhancing its military capabilities in response to perceived threats from China, including building a ‘missile archipelago’ near Taiwan.
• Both nations are engaged in a war of narratives, with China accusing Japan of militarism and Japan expressing concerns over China’s aggressive policies.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi is criticized online, suggesting a lack of credibility in Japan’s defense posture.
• China marks the anniversary of the Nanking Massacre, warning against Japan’s militarism and calling for acknowledgment of historical atrocities.
• China’s Central Archives released evidence of Japan’s wartime atrocities, reinforcing claims of premeditated state crimes during WWII.
• China holds a national memorial ceremony for Nanjing Massacre victims, with families urging Japan to confront its past sins.
• China accuses Japan of overestimating its position and seeking U.S. backing in regional tensions.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan is building a ‘missile archipelago’ near Taiwan as a countermeasure to China’s military expansion.
• Japan’s grassroots activities are overshadowed by China’s increasing pressure and militarization in the region.
• Japan companies are adapting to economic challenges, including tariff impacts, while maintaining a focus on national security.
• Japan’s ultranationalists perceive a shift in sentiment towards a more assertive military stance, reflecting concerns over China’s actions.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi mocked online as users question whether he ‘staged’ photo of call with US counterpart Hegseth - Global Times (12/13/2025)
2. [en-US] China marks Nanking massacre anniversary with warning against Japan’s militarism - South China Morning Post (12/13/2025)
3. [en-US] Track record unlikely but Purton has big expectations for Ka Ying in HK Sprint - South China Morning Post (12/13/2025)
4. [en-US] Japan seeks US backing in its tensions with China, it simply overestimates itself - Global Times (12/13/2025)
5. [en-US] China’s Central Archives releases Russia-transferred Japanese Unit 731 atrocity evidence, reinforcing WWII germ warfare as premeditated state crime - Global Times (12/13/2025)
6. [en-US] American donor Evan Kail attends Nanjing commemorative activities, says lasting peace requires Japan’s acknowledgment of past sins - Global Times (12/13/2025)
7. [en-US] Opinion | From Singapore to Taiwan, Japan must face its past for Asia’s future - South China Morning Post (12/13/2025)
8. [en-US] China holds national memorial ceremony for Nanjing Massacre victims; victim families, Nanjing residents warn against resurging Japanese militarism - Global Times (12/13/2025)
9. [en-US] ‘Didn’t know where to go’: tourists struggle in Japan quake evacuation - South China Morning Post (12/13/2025)
10. [en-US] China slams Japanese militarism as ‘common foe’ of world ahead of national memorial day for Nanjing Massacre victims - Global Times (12/12/2025)
11. [en-US] China shipbuilding megadeal follows US port fee truce - Nikkei Asia (12/13/2025)
12. [en-US] Nippon Life seeks to buy medical data firm in M&A milestone - Nikkei Asia (12/13/2025)
13. [en-US] China’s intensifying pressure on Japan overshadows grassroots activities - Nikkei Asia (12/13/2025)
14. [en-US] Japan builds up ‘missile archipelago’ near Taiwan to counter China - The Japan Times (12/13/2025)
15. [en-US] ‘Samurai spirit’: Ultranationalists see Japan tilting their way - The Japan Times (12/13/2025)
16. [en-US] China holds low-key Nanking Massacre memorial despite Japan tensions - The Japan Times (12/13/2025)
17. [en-US] China aircraft carrier flotilla headed home, one week after Japan radar incident - The Japan Times (12/13/2025)
18. [en-US] China Politburo member misses key meeting, raising purge speculation - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
19. [en-US] China’s consumers hunt for bargains after subsidy-fueled demand fizzles - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)
20. [en-US] Japan companies cut Trump tariff impact by $2bn, helped by price hikes - Nikkei Asia (12/12/2025)