Japan wary of China’s growing military

China’s military modernization, including apparent plans for a deep-water navy, needs to be monitored closely to determine whether it exceeds requirements for self-defense, a Japanese government defense report said Tuesday.

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The report, complied by the Japanese Defense Ministry, said the Japanese public had become “exceedingly concerned” about the activities of Chinese ships. This is of special interest to Japan, which is feuding with China over undersea resources and the delineation of the two countries’ exclusive economic zones.

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The report said Japan is specifically concerned about Chinese gas exploration in the East China Sea near an area that Japan considers to be its exclusive economic zone.

International Herald Tribune