Japan boosts military forces to counter China
PM Shinzo Abe wants Japan to adopt a more proactive security strategy
Japan's cabinet has
approved a new national security strategy and increased defence spending
in a move widely seen as aimed at China.
Over the next five years, Japan will buy hardware including drones, stealth aircraft and amphibious vehicles. The military will also build a new marine unit, an amphibious force capable of retaking islands.
The move comes with Tokyo embroiled in a bitter row with Beijing over East China Sea islands that both claim.
It reflects concern over China's growing assertiveness over its territorial claims and Beijing's mounting defence spending.
"China's stance toward other countries and military moves, coupled with a lack of transparency regarding its military and national security policies, represent a concern to Japan and the wider international community and require close watch," the national security document said.
'Transparent'Japan, US and South Korea - which claims a rock that lies within China's declared zone - have strongly criticised the move, with the US calling it "an attempt to unilaterally change the status quo" in the region.
Japan's new military strategy explained in 60 seconds
Speaking at a news conference in the Philippines, Secretary of State John Kerry said the East China Sea zone should not be implemented and "China should refrain from taking similar, unilateral actions elsewhere in the region and in particular, over the South China Sea."
China had already criticised the outlines of Japan's defence policy and says it is "closely watching Japan's security strategy and policy direction".
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Japan ranks fifth in the world for military spending, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, while China is in second place behind the United States.
Mr Abe's government says the strategy is a measured and logical response to a real and increasing threat, reports the BBC's Rupert Wingfield-Hayes in Tokyo.
But many on the left in Japan think Mr Abe is using the threat from China to pursue his own nationalist dreams, our correspondent adds.
