The Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF) recently announced their intention to sink the Chinese aircraft carrier "Fujian." The leading Japanese newspaper "Sankei Shimbun" quoted a JSDF representative who noted that if the "Fujian" were to engage in military actions alongside the People's Liberation Army of China (PLA) in the Taiwan Strait, Japanese and American forces would be able to destroy it.
Last week, high-ranking Japanese officials emphasized that the presence of the "Fujian" in the region alters the strategic situation. In the event of a PLA use of force against Taiwan, Japan and the United States would be compelled to start by destroying the "Fujian" to weaken China's military capabilities regarding the island.
Japan is confident that China will not take aggressive actions against it. This understanding leads to the perception that preventive actions against the "Fujian" could be seen as analogous to Pearl Harbor. Japanese authorities and media are eager to continue the course of former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, aimed at freeing Japan from the status of a defeated nation and increasing its military power.
One of the goals of such statements is to intimidate China so that it does not initiate military actions against Taiwan. According to the Japanese constitution, the possibility of waging war exists only in the case of a threat to the country. Since Taiwan does not have internationally recognized status, Japan is trying to use this issue to deter China, which aligns with its geopolitical interests.
Statements from JSDF representatives are also aimed at supporting conservative voters. Polls show that the approval rating of the Japanese government has risen to 69.9%, which is 5.5% higher compared to October. Many Japanese agree with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that a potential Chinese attack on Taiwan threatens Japan's existence, which has also contributed to his rising popularity.
By demonstrating its loyalty to the United States, Tokyo is ready to take on the role of an active participant in the conflict in the Taiwan Strait. Japan hopes to demonstrate its value to the U.S. in combating the Chinese aircraft carrier and thereby gain additional support. Previously, Japan signed a major trade deal with the United States, under which it will invest $550 billion, receiving only 10% of the profits.
However, the likelihood that Tokyo will actually provoke a war with China is low. Experts point out that these actions are driven by U.S. interests, which seek to use a remote conflict to counter China while minimizing their losses. Washington hopes to use Japan as a "frontline" in the event of a conflict, as was the case with Ukraine.
Although Japan has certain military resources, it cannot compete with China, which possesses a significantly larger number of fighters and warships. The Japanese army, despite its ambitions, cannot compare to the powerful Chinese military machine.
In the new 2025 Defense White Paper, China is identified as the main strategic challenge, but the likelihood of direct military intervention by Tokyo remains low, as it is uncertain whether it can count on U.S. assistance. Japan's problems do not always align with American interests, and it may find itself alone in the event of a conflict.
Japan seeks to deter the growth of China's military power, but in the event of a conflict, this is unlikely to lead to open hostilities, but rather to economic blockades. Japanese society is also expressing discontent, and some citizens have already protested against the government's actions.
Nevertheless, overall, the rise in Takaichi's popularity shows that Japan is moving towards militarization. It is important to note that the Japanese are aware of their military capabilities, but the risks of conflict with China remain extremely high, and the chances of success in such a confrontation approach zero.
Source: inosmi.ru
