China-Japan Military

‘Neo-militarism’: Why Beijing sees Japan reviving a prewar trajectory

China’s charge of Japan’s so-called “neo-militarism” is not about arsenal comparisons — it is a decades-old fear, now updated, that Japan is quietly restoring the prewar state that 1945 was supposed to dismantle, say Chinese academics Shao Jingkai and Wang Guangtao.

Shao Jingkai, Wang Guangtao

12 Jun 2026

Japanese academic: What Sanae Takaichi meant by ‘a survival-threatening situation’

Did Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi give away Japan’s strategic ambiguity with her comments on a “survival-threatening situation”? Japanese academic Shin Kawashima gives his views.

Shin Kawashima

17 Nov 2025

Everyone is tired of the Japan-China standoff — it isn’t ending anytime soon

Following comments by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Taiwan, the Chinese authorities have issued a travel advisory for Japan, prompting debate in Chinese media and society. Lianhe Zaobao’s China news editor Yang Danxu analyses the rhetoric and how things might pan out.

Yang Danxu

17 Nov 2025

Can Japan reconcile with its past?

For decades, Japanese prime ministers have made statements on World War II and Japan’s part in it, in an effort to reconcile with other countries. Japanese academic Shin Kawashima looks at how effective it has been.

Shin Kawashima

17 Mar 2025

Japanese academic: Are China’s actions in Japanese waters and airspace legal? 

Japanese academic Shin Kawashima notes that the recent appearance of Chinese naval and aircraft in Japanese waters and airspace shows Japan and China have different ideas of what is “allowed”, which could lead to misunderstandings.

Shin Kawashima

17 Sep 2024

Different threat perceptions in Japan and China: 45th anniversary of treaty of peace and friendship

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the Japan-China Treaty of Peace and Friendship. However, it seems that few people - especially in Japan - even know about this treaty that dates back to 1978. Results from a recent opinion poll conducted by Genron NPO also show that the Japanese and Chinese have different threat perceptions, though it is commonly agreed that military tensions are rising. Japanese academic Shin Kawashima shares his view on the issue.

Shin Kawashima

08 Nov 2023

[Photo story] The long road to justice against Japanese war criminals and collaborators

Following Japan's surrender at the end of the Second World War, the horrific military atrocities were brought to light as war criminals were put on trial. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao provides descriptions and images of that period. This article may contain some visually disturbing images.

Hsu Chung-mao

15 Sep 2023

[Photo story] How did Ryukyu issue become entangled in the China-US conflict?

The recent visit of Okinawa governor Denny Tamaki to China has brought attention to the historical links between the ancient kingdom of Ryukyu (which included Okinawa) and China. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao explains the connections and possible political developments.

Hsu Chung-mao

04 Aug 2023

[Photo story] The historical aftermath of Japan's colonisation of Taiwan

Japan's colonisation of Taiwan after the First Sino-Japanese War is a chapter of history that the Chinese would rather forget, along with the pain and suffering that the Japanese inflicted on the people of China and Taiwan. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao gives us an idea of that period.

Hsu Chung-mao

31 Mar 2023

[Photo story] The fate of Japanese POWs and civilians in China after World War II

During the Japanese occupation of China in World War II, the Japanese government encouraged the people of Japan to migrate to China, where they were accorded many privileges as first-grade citizens. But when Japan eventually lost the war, these people found themselves cut adrift in an instant, neither belonging to China nor tied to Japan, especially the children born during the war. Many suffered and even lost their lives as the Soviet army put them into concentration camps and took retaliatory action. Some Japanese still remember the magnanimous policies of the Chiang Kai-Shek government, which arranged at the time for Japanese POWs and other Japanese to be repatriated back to Japan. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao presents photos of the period.

Hsu Chung-mao

03 Dec 2021

Yasukuni Shrine visits: A mirror reflecting Sino-Japanese relations

Some Japanese politicians have the practice of marking the anniversary of the end of WWII for Japan by visiting the Yasukuni Shrine to pay tribute to the war dead. Even after more than 75 years, emotions run deep especially in China, which has registered its unhappiness at these visits. Japanese academic Shin Kawashima examines how Yasukuni Shrine visits can be used to gauge the state of Japan-China relations.

Shin Kawashima

13 Sep 2021

Japanese academic: Will Japan send troops to 'protect' Taiwan?

Japanese academic Shin Kawashima analyses Japanese Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso's recent comments where he made reference to a possible "Survival Threatening Situation" in Taiwan. How ready is Japan to step in?

Shin Kawashima

21 Jul 2021