Overall Highlights

• Japan’s defense budget is set to exceed 9 trillion yen, raising concerns in China about militarization.
• China criticizes Japan’s perceived revival of militarism and calls for regional unity to counter it.
• Japan’s Prime Minister expresses willingness for dialogue with China amid rising tensions.
• China urges travel agencies to reduce the number of visitors to Japan, reflecting strained relations.
• Natural disasters in Japan, such as a recent earthquake, have been reported but are overshadowed by military tensions.

China Perspective (China Sources)

• Japan’s defense budget increase is viewed as a dangerous signal of neo-militarism.
• China’s defense ministry calls for united efforts to contain Japan’s militarism revival.
• China condemns Japan’s historical revisionism regarding its militaristic past.
• China urges Japan to clarify issues related to nuclear safety and water leakage from nuclear plants.
• China’s media highlights Japan’s military developments as a threat to regional stability.

Japan Perspective (Japan Sources)

• Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi is arranging a meeting with former President Trump to strengthen US ties.
• Japan is facing a backlash from China, which has urged a 40% reduction in travel to Japan.
• Japan’s media reports on internal controversies regarding nuclear weapons policy and non-proliferation efforts.
• Japan continues to engage diplomatically with China despite rising tensions over military issues.
• Japan’s defense budget increase is framed as necessary for national security in response to regional threats.

Sources

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

1. [en-US] Japan’s defense budget tops record 9 trillion yen for fiscal 2026 - news.cgtn.com (12/26/2025)
2. [en-US] Russia condemns Japan’s whitewashing of militarist crimes - news.cgtn.com (12/26/2025)
3. [en-US] 5.7-magnitude quake hits Hokkaido, Japan – GFZ - 新华网 (12/25/2025)
4. [en-US] Japan’s nuclear ambitions call for high alert: China Daily editorial - China Daily - Global Edition (12/25/2025)
5. [en-US] China sharpens criticism of Japan ‘neo-militarism’, warns of ‘dangerous signal’ - South China Morning Post (12/25/2025)
6. [en-US] China’s defense ministry calls for united efforts to contain Japan’s militarism revival - China Daily (12/25/2025)
7. [en-US] Japan popular with Hong Kong travellers over Christmas, Harbin gaining appeal - South China Morning Post (12/25/2025)
8. [en-US] Bird flu case reported at poultry farm in eastern Japan - 新华网 (12/25/2025)
9. [en-US] Japanese media unveils PM’s non-proliferation aide outed as official behind nuclear weapons possession claim - Global Times (12/25/2025)
10. [en-US] China urges Japan to clarify nuclear-tainted water leakage at Fugen nuclear plant - news.cgtn.com (12/24/2025)
11. [en-US] US arms shipment backlog to Taiwan tops $20bn - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
12. [en-US] Japan PM Takaichi says Trump meeting in US being arranged for early 2026 - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
13. [en-US] China urges travel agencies to reduce Japan-bound visitors by 40% - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
14. [en-US] Vingroup to pull bid for $67bn North-South high-speed railway - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
15. [en-US] China social media thrashes one-child policy after population control czar dies - Japan Wire by KYODO NEWS (12/25/2025)
16. [en-US] Takaichi says door remains open for China communications - The Japan Times (12/25/2025)
17. [en-US] China social media thrashes one-child policy after population control czar dies - The Japan Times (12/25/2025)
18. [en-US] Chinese state miner to buy Ecuadorean copper project in $1.2bn deal - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
19. [en-US] Behind India’s strong US export data, experts see some weakness - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)
20. [en-US] LS Eco Energy bets $19m on Vietnam rare earths to counter China - Nikkei Asia (12/25/2025)