Overall Highlights

• Japan is facing internal pressure regarding its nuclear policies, with civil bodies urging the government to uphold non-nuclear principles.
• China expresses concern over Japan’s nuclear ambitions, calling for international action to curb them.
• Recent incidents in Japan, such as radioactive water leaks and protests over nuclear plant reopenings, highlight ongoing public unease about nuclear safety.
• Japan’s defense spending and historical accountability are contentious issues, with criticism from Chinese sources regarding Japan’s military maneuvers.
• Both nations are navigating complex geopolitical tensions, particularly in relation to Taiwan and military posturing.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Chinese media highlights Japan’s civil society urging the government to maintain non-nuclear principles, indicating public apprehension about nuclear policies.
• The Global Times editorial calls for the international community to actively prevent Japan from pursuing nuclear capabilities, framing it as a regional security threat.
• Reports of radioactive water leaks from Japanese nuclear facilities are used to underscore concerns about Japan’s nuclear safety standards.
• China criticizes Japan’s defense spending increases, suggesting they ignore historical responsibilities and public conscience.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japanese outlets report on the domestic backlash against nuclear energy, including protests against the reopening of nuclear plants and concerns over radioactive waste management.
• Nikkei Asia discusses the broader economic implications of U.S. tariffs affecting Asian manufacturers, including Japan, reflecting on the global economic landscape.
• Japan is focusing on trade agreements and economic partnerships, such as with Bangladesh, to bolster its economic resilience amid international tensions.
• Concerns about China’s military advancements and economic strategies are highlighted, emphasizing Japan’s need to remain vigilant and proactive in its defense policies.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Japanese civil body urges gov’t to uphold non-nuclear principles-Xinhua - 新华网 (12/24/2025)
2. [en-US] Japanese civil body urges gov’t to uphold non-nuclear principles - 新华网 (12/24/2025)
3. [en-US] The international community should resolutely curb Japan’s nuclear ambitions: Global Times editorial - Global Times (12/23/2025)
4. [en-US] Radioactive water leak reported at decommissioned nuclear reactor in central Japan - 新华网 (12/23/2025)
5. [en-US] Japanese rocket fails to launch satellite into orbit - South China Morning Post (12/23/2025)
6. [en-US] China CP comic fan event stripped of Japanese content, dozens of booths affected - South China Morning Post (12/23/2025)
7. [en-US] Protests in Japan over reopening of world’s largest nuclear plant - South China Morning Post (12/23/2025)
8. [en-US] Japan’s ‘defense spending maneuver’ leaves out history responsibility and public conscience: Zhong Sheng - Global Times (12/23/2025)
9. [en-US] Mind your language: Japan considers new fluency bar for permanent residents - South China Morning Post (12/23/2025)
10. [en-US] Beijing ‘firmly opposes’ Japanese lawmakers’ trips to Taiwan - South China Morning Post (12/22/2025)
11. [en-US] Indonesian, Vietnamese footwear makers feel the heat of U.S. tariffs - Nikkei Asia (12/24/2025)
12. [en-US] Gold, silver and copper prices surge to record highs on dollar worries - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
13. [en-US] US delays announcement of China chip tariffs until 2027 - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
14. [en-US] Chinese military purges give air force officers room to advance - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
15. [en-US] Samsung to buy self-driving business from Germany’s ZF for $1.8bn - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
16. [en-US] Why China can’t win the AI-led industrial revolution - The Japan Times (12/23/2025)
17. [en-US] SMFG joins US firms to provide $3.5bn for European M&A - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
18. [en-US] Indonesia says it has reached US tariff deal, aims for January signing - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
19. [en-US] Japan confirms broad trade agreement with Bangladesh to cut tariffs - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)
20. [en-US] Cathay shares hit 10-year high as airline expects earnings growth - Nikkei Asia (12/23/2025)