By PAUL KALLENDER-UMEZU
TOKYO — For the first time, Japan has criticized China over its military buildup in a move that has garnered swift reaction from regional powers and continued Tokyo’s march toward a more assertive posture.
Japan’s move, codified in a white paper released last week, also raises questions about Tokyo’s alliance with Washington amid tense relations with China, experts said.
Fast and furious was the regional response to last week’s document, in which Japan openly sounded the alarm about China’s military buildup and motives. Japan argues that by providing such a blunt assessment, it is acting in the best interests of the region. This change in tack sets the scene for larger changes in Japanese defense policy, analysts said, although just how large remains to be seen.
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