Russia tops Japan defence fears

Japan's government says the Russian military is becoming more active in areas close to its territory.

The annual defence white paper says the Russians appear to be conducting new drills near Japan, involving nuclear submarines and military aircraft.

The document also reiterates calls for greater transparency from China over its defence spending.

But on this the rhetoric is weaker than in the past, reflecting warmer military ties between the two countries.

Space fears

Each year Japan's government publishes an assessment of the level of threat the country faces from its neighbours and others.

A few months ago a Russian military aircraft violated Japanese airspace for the first time in more than three decades.

The report says Russian drills and military flights near Japan are becoming more frequent.

Japan has never formally ended World War II hostilities with the Russians. The report makes clear there are real concerns about the possibility of a more assertive Russian military stance in Asia.

Japan's other major worries are China and North Korea.

The officials have toned down the language they have used this year when discussing China's swelling military budget. They acknowledge that senior naval officers from both countries have exchanged visits.

But for the first time the document includes a detailed assessment of China's growing military capabilities in space, including the development of a laser capable of shooting down satellites.

It also sets out Japan's concerns that North Korea could develop smaller nuclear warheads relatively swiftly.

Pyongyang is heightening tension in the Korean Peninsula, it says, which is a significant cause of instability across Asia.

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