In Japan, the government of Yoshihide Suga is reinforcing the country's military might. It has proposed a record $51.7 billion defence budget.&nbsp;This is the ninth consecutive rise in Japan's military spending.

This year has seen&nbsp;a record $51.7 billion defence budget and a comprehensive plan to counter China's growing military power.

Japan is reinforcing its military might under the new leadership of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

"The national security situation around the country is getting increasingly severe. We need to cope with new areas of national security such as space, cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum, beyond the conventional framework of air, land and sea,"&nbsp;Yoshihide Suga said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/japan-sets-record-52-bln-military-budget-with-stealth-jets-long-range-missiles-351382">WATCH|</a>

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The ministry of defence in Japan is set to get a record $51.7 billion (5.34 trillion yen) budget next year. This budget is aimed at giving Japan's forces new planes, missiles and aircraft carriers with greater range and potency against China.

These purchases will likely include a $40 billion fighter jet being developed by Mitsubishi heavy industries in collaboration with Lockheed Martin.

A $323 million anti-ship missile to defend the south-western Okinawa Island chain, $628 million will be spent on obtaining six Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters&nbsp;and $912 million are to be allocated for building two compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/will-senkaku-island-dispute-lead-to-china-japan-war-335908">Will Senkaku Island dispute lead to China-Japan war?</a>

"We, as the Japanese government need to thoroughly rationalize and make our defence operations more efficient. To correspond to the increasingly severe security environment, we would like to firmly strengthen our defence power while getting people to understand through our explanations at parliament sessions,"&nbsp;said Katsunobu Katō, Japanese chief cabinet secretary.

This is a record spike in defence spending in Japan's recent history.

Yoshihide Suga is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Shinzo Abe,&nbsp;who also focused on a military development in Japan. Under Abe, Japan bolstered its defences in response to a growing military threat from China.

A threat that still persists. The PLA's incursions in the East China sea have not stopped as&nbsp;just this month, Chinese ships entered the territorial waters of Japan near the&nbsp;Senkaku Islands. Chinese vessels have also been hovering around Japan's Okinawa Island chain.

Japan's new budget is largely aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty. The spike in defence spending will go a long way in protecting its coastal territories, not to mention, also in countering China's never-ending military expansionism.

In Japan, the government of Yoshihide Suga is reinforcing the country's military might. It has proposed a record $51.7 billion defence budget. This is the ninth consecutive rise in Japan's military spending.

In Japan, the government of Yoshihide Suga is reinforcing the country's military might. It has proposed a record $51.7 billion defence budget. This is the ninth consecutive rise in Japan's military spending. This year has seen a record $51.7 billion defence budget and a comprehensive plan to counter China's growing military power. Japan is reinforcing its military might under the new leadership of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga. "The national security situation around the country is getting increasingly severe. We need to cope with new areas of national security such as space, cyber and the electromagnetic spectrum, beyond the conventional framework of air, land and sea," Yoshihide Suga said. WATCH| × The ministry of defence in Japan is set to get a record $51.7 billion (5.34 trillion yen) budget next year. This budget is aimed at giving Japan's forces new planes, missiles and aircraft carriers with greater range and potency against China. These purchases will likely include a $40 billion fighter jet being developed by Mitsubishi heavy industries in collaboration with Lockheed Martin. A $323 million anti-ship missile to defend the south-western Okinawa Island chain, $628 million will be spent on obtaining six Lockheed F-35 stealth fighters and $912 million are to be allocated for building two compact warships that can operate with fewer sailors. Also read| Will Senkaku Island dispute lead to China-Japan war? "We, as the Japanese government need to thoroughly rationalize and make our defence operations more efficient. To correspond to the increasingly severe security environment, we would like to firmly strengthen our defence power while getting people to understand through our explanations at parliament sessions," said Katsunobu Katō, Japanese chief cabinet secretary. This is a record spike in defence spending in Japan's recent history. Yoshihide Suga is following in the footsteps of his predecessor Shinzo Abe, who also focused on a military development in Japan. Under Abe, Japan bolstered its defences in response to a growing military threat from China. A threat that still persists. The PLA's incursions in the East China sea have not stopped as just this month, Chinese ships entered the territorial waters of Japan near the Senkaku Islands. Chinese vessels have also been hovering around Japan's Okinawa Island chain. Japan's new budget is largely aimed at safeguarding its sovereignty. The spike in defence spending will go a long way in protecting its coastal territories, not to mention, also in countering China's never-ending military expansionism.

Japan's record $52 billion military budget aims at safeguarding against China

China has been carrying out drills near Taiwan. Chinese jets crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait several times over the weekend. Multiple military drills were carried out over Friday and Saturday reports claim that China carried out at least 40 sorties.

Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification.

The island is a flashpoint with Washington, which promises military support to the elected government and has sent two envoys to Taipei in as many months.

"China will take appropriate countermeasures, including targeting relevant individuals," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, without elaborating. He warned that the US actions will "further damage the cooperation" between the US and China.

Wang added that any support for Taiwan's independence is a "dead end... doomed to fail".

The CCP'S mouthpice — China daily published a bitter editorial on the issue.&nbsp;

“The United States was trying to use Taiwan to contain China. &nbsp;'The US administration should not be blinkered in its desperation to contain the peaceful rise of china and indulge in the US addition to its hegemony," it said.

Neither Taiwan nor the US responded to the Chinese provocation militarily. What if India, The United States and Taiwan decide to jointly retaliate to China. Will the PLA be able to sustain the joint forces?

Take a look at the numbers, if you look at active military personnel. China has 2.18 million men.

India, Taiwan and the US, put together have 3 million men. So, China is out-numbered here.

Before sending aircraft to the Taiwan Strait, China should look also at its aircraft strength which is 3210.

If you combine the number of aircraft of India, Taiwan and the US the number becomes 16,131.

Look at the numbers of tanks, China: 3,500 and 11,761 is the number if you combine the Indian, Taiwanese and American tanks. So what exactly is China thinking — in opening up multiple fronts? Why would it engage 3 countries at the same time?

Especially when it includes the world’s most-powerful and 4th-most powerful armies. 
&nbsp; 
How many reports will it take for China to understand that it cannot afford at war least of all, at a time like this.

(With inputs from agencies)

China has been carrying out drills near Taiwan. Chinese jets crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait several times over the weekend. Multiple military drills were carried out over Friday and Saturday reports claim that China carried out at least 40 sorties.

China has been carrying out drills near Taiwan. Chinese jets crossed the mid-line of the Taiwan Strait several times over the weekend. Multiple military drills were carried out over Friday and Saturday reports claim that China carried out at least 40 sorties. Taiwan has been ruled separately from China since the end of a civil war in 1949, but Beijing considers the island part of its territory awaiting reunification. The island is a flashpoint with Washington, which promises military support to the elected government and has sent two envoys to Taipei in as many months. "China will take appropriate countermeasures, including targeting relevant individuals," said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin, without elaborating. He warned that the US actions will "further damage the cooperation" between the US and China. Wang added that any support for Taiwan's independence is a "dead end... doomed to fail". The CCP'S mouthpice — China daily published a bitter editorial on the issue. “The United States was trying to use Taiwan to contain China. 'The US administration should not be blinkered in its desperation to contain the peaceful rise of china and indulge in the US addition to its hegemony," it said. Neither Taiwan nor the US responded to the Chinese provocation militarily. What if India, The United States and Taiwan decide to jointly retaliate to China. Will the PLA be able to sustain the joint forces? Take a look at the numbers, if you look at active military personnel. China has 2.18 million men. India, Taiwan and the US, put together have 3 million men. So, China is out-numbered here. Before sending aircraft to the Taiwan Strait, China should look also at its aircraft strength which is 3210. If you combine the number of aircraft of India, Taiwan and the US the number becomes 16,131. Look at the numbers of tanks, China: 3,500 and 11,761 is the number if you combine the Indian, Taiwanese and American tanks. So what exactly is China thinking — in opening up multiple fronts? Why would it engage 3 countries at the same time? Especially when it includes the world’s most-powerful and 4th-most powerful armies. How many reports will it take for China to understand that it cannot afford at war least of all, at a time like this. (With inputs from agencies)

China can't afford a full blown war at this stage

Beijing has said the Diaoyu islands are Chinese territory and it has the right to conduct law enforcement activities in the area. With this, China has rebutted a US military commander's criticism of incursions in territory which is also claimed by Japan.

Japan earlier this month accused China of "relentless" intrusions in waters around the groups of islands claimed by both countries in the East China Sea, called the Senkaku by Tokyo and Diaoyu by Beijing.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters during a daily briefing that Beijing hopes the relevant parties will do more to uphold stability in the region instead of taking actions that are not conducive to peace and stability in the region.

General Kevin Schneider, commander of US Forces Japan, had earlier said that the US military could help monitor "unprecedented incursions" by Chinese ships around islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan and also claimed by China that could escalate next month after Beijing lifts a fishing ban in the area.

The United States did not take a position on sovereignty over the uninhabited islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, but had said that it would help its ally Japan defend against any attack.

Beijing has said the Diaoyu islands are Chinese territory and it has the right to conduct law enforcement activities in the area. With this, China has rebutted a US military commander's criticism of incursions in territory which is also claimed by Japan.

Beijing has said the Diaoyu islands are Chinese territory and it has the right to conduct law enforcement activities in the area. With this, China has rebutted a US military commander's criticism of incursions in territory which is also claimed by Japan. Japan earlier this month accused China of "relentless" intrusions in waters around the groups of islands claimed by both countries in the East China Sea, called the Senkaku by Tokyo and Diaoyu by Beijing. Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin told reporters during a daily briefing that Beijing hopes the relevant parties will do more to uphold stability in the region instead of taking actions that are not conducive to peace and stability in the region. General Kevin Schneider, commander of US Forces Japan, had earlier said that the US military could help monitor "unprecedented incursions" by Chinese ships around islands in the East China Sea controlled by Japan and also claimed by China that could escalate next month after Beijing lifts a fishing ban in the area. The United States did not take a position on sovereignty over the uninhabited islands, known as the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, but had said that it would help its ally Japan defend against any attack.

Beijing says Diaoyu islands are Chinese territory, rebuts US criticism

The worst two mistakes a military can make are to&nbsp;send unarmed troops to the border, and&nbsp;start a war when you cannot afford one.

So, can china afford an all-out war with India? The answer would be 'no'.

The major reason being that military deployment is a big challenge for China right now as it is already engaged in one too many fronts.

Another reason would be that the country is already fighting its internal war, and China cannot afford to fire right now as there is already too much global heat against it.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/there-is-not-much-clarity-on-outcome-of-talks-between-india-and-china-306853">Also watch|&nbsp;There is not much clarity on outcome of talks between India and China</a>

Military deployment

What a country needs during a war is to quickly round up its forces at the frontline, and this is the last thing China can do right now.

China is fighting fires at several fronts&nbsp;as we speak. Its ground forces, &nbsp;its navy, its war planes are all engaged.

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On one hand, Chinese fighter jets are busy intruding into Taiwan's airspace, fighting a proxy war of unification.

On the other hand,China&nbsp;also has its&nbsp;ships at the South China sea, trying to fortify its claim over the water and its islands. In the South China sea alone, Beijing is currently engaged with six countries --&nbsp;Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chinas-claims-over-galwan-valley-exaggerated-and-untenable-india-306689">Also read|&nbsp;China's claims over Galwan Valley 'exaggerated and untenable': India</a>

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is creating artificial islands and carrying out exercises here.

Not just this, China is also in bad water with Japan right now, as Beijing's ships recently entered the Japanese water -- making Japan the seventh country to be at crossroads with China at the waters alone.

Then there is Hong Kong, and its ongoing pro-democracy movement. Striking a war with India right now will mean compromising on its surveillance in Hong Kong. The last thing Beijing wants is an uprising there.

Internal conflicts

China already has its plates full at home. There are one too many theatres of conflict.

China is still fighting to legitimise its claims on Tibet. It is also advocating for reunification of outer Mongolia. In addition to this, Chinese troops&nbsp;are engaged in the prosecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang.

And as we speak, they are fighting the second wave of coronavirus in Beijing.

Can China leave all these fronts and move to Sino-India border?

Budgetary issues

Let's say, hypothetically, the Chinese troops do abandon these posts and head to Ladakh, the question that arises then is that will the Chinese government be able to fund a war right now?

China's GDP stood at 20.65 trillion Yuan (2.91 trillion dollars) in the first quarter of 2020. Their GDP was down 6.9 per cent year-on-year.

It is not just the GDP that has observed a decline; China's relations with other countries, too, have observed a decline as industries are moving out of China.

Its manufacturing has slipped, and so has demand. There is a 8.5 per cent decline in imports.

The coronavirus has hammered the Chinese economy, and as a result, people are out of jobs and struggling to make ends meet.

The last thing China needs right now&nbsp;is a war. Too bad that Beijing, however, is already fighting one.

Trade war

China is in trade war with the United States. Although,&nbsp;it is economically at war with Australia too.

According to reports, the trade war with US cost&nbsp;China 35 billion dollars in the first half of 2019 alone. Among the hardest-hit sectors were computers and office machinery.

Fighting India would mean losing out on Indian markets, and losing over 74.72 billion dollars from exports alone.

Another major reason China cannot afford to go to war with India right now is its lack of allies presently, excluding the debt-ridden Pakistan, or humble Nepal.

India, on the other hand, has the support of the world's leading powers -- diplomatically and militarily.

If China fires a shot at Ladakh, it will be abushed from all fronts and its economy will tank.

China faces the danger of being&nbsp;diplomatically isolated, and there is a chance the Chinese leadership will not survive this blow.

The worst two mistakes a military can make are to send unarmed troops to the border, and start a war when you cannot afford one. So, can china afford an all-out war with India?

The worst two mistakes a military can make are to send unarmed troops to the border, and start a war when you cannot afford one. So, can china afford an all-out war with India? The answer would be 'no'. The major reason being that military deployment is a big challenge for China right now as it is already engaged in one too many fronts. Another reason would be that the country is already fighting its internal war, and China cannot afford to fire right now as there is already too much global heat against it. Also watch| There is not much clarity on outcome of talks between India and China Military deployment What a country needs during a war is to quickly round up its forces at the frontline, and this is the last thing China can do right now. China is fighting fires at several fronts as we speak. Its ground forces, its navy, its war planes are all engaged. On one hand, Chinese fighter jets are busy intruding into Taiwan's airspace, fighting a proxy war of unification. On the other hand,China also has its ships at the South China sea, trying to fortify its claim over the water and its islands. In the South China sea alone, Beijing is currently engaged with six countries -- Taiwan, Vietnam, the Philippines, Brunei, Indonesia and Malaysia. Also read| China's claims over Galwan Valley 'exaggerated and untenable': India The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is creating artificial islands and carrying out exercises here. Not just this, China is also in bad water with Japan right now, as Beijing's ships recently entered the Japanese water -- making Japan the seventh country to be at crossroads with China at the waters alone. Then there is Hong Kong, and its ongoing pro-democracy movement. Striking a war with India right now will mean compromising on its surveillance in Hong Kong. The last thing Beijing wants is an uprising there. Internal conflicts China already has its plates full at home. There are one too many theatres of conflict. China is still fighting to legitimise its claims on Tibet. It is also advocating for reunification of outer Mongolia. In addition to this, Chinese troops are engaged in the prosecution of Uighurs in Xinjiang. And as we speak, they are fighting the second wave of coronavirus in Beijing. Can China leave all these fronts and move to Sino-India border? Budgetary issues Let's say, hypothetically, the Chinese troops do abandon these posts and head to Ladakh, the question that arises then is that will the Chinese government be able to fund a war right now? China's GDP stood at 20.65 trillion Yuan (2.91 trillion dollars) in the first quarter of 2020. Their GDP was down 6.9 per cent year-on-year. It is not just the GDP that has observed a decline; China's relations with other countries, too, have observed a decline as industries are moving out of China. Its manufacturing has slipped, and so has demand. There is a 8.5 per cent decline in imports. The coronavirus has hammered the Chinese economy, and as a result, people are out of jobs and struggling to make ends meet. The last thing China needs right now is a war. Too bad that Beijing, however, is already fighting one. Trade war China is in trade war with the United States. Although, it is economically at war with Australia too. According to reports, the trade war with US cost China 35 billion dollars in the first half of 2019 alone. Among the hardest-hit sectors were computers and office machinery. Fighting India would mean losing out on Indian markets, and losing over 74.72 billion dollars from exports alone. Another major reason China cannot afford to go to war with India right now is its lack of allies presently, excluding the debt-ridden Pakistan, or humble Nepal. India, on the other hand, has the support of the world's leading powers -- diplomatically and militarily. If China fires a shot at Ladakh, it will be abushed from all fronts and its economy will tank. China faces the danger of being diplomatically isolated, and there is a chance the Chinese leadership will not survive this blow.

Lack of allies, funds and resources: why China cannot afford a War right now

Tokyo protested to Beijing on Sunday after Chinese coast guard ships sailed into territorial waters surrounding disputed islands in the East China Sea, Japan said. 
 
Four Chinese vessels entered the waters surrounding islets, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, around 10.00 am local time (0100 GMT), according to Japan Coast Guard. 
 
They left the territorial waters within an hour, the coast guard said. 
 
The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the uninhabited islets. 
 
Tokyo has lodged at least 32 protests through diplomatic channels since August 5 over what it says have been about 30 intrusions by Chinese vessels in the territorial waters. 
 
The director general of the Japanese foreign ministry&#39;s Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau, Kenji Kanasugi, issued a protest Sunday to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, saying that the ships&#39; &quot;incursion&quot; violated Japan&#39;s sovereignty, the ministry said in a statement. 
 
&quot;Despite Japan&#39;s repeated strong protests, the Chinese side has continued to take unilateral actions that raise tensions on the ground, and that is absolutely unacceptable,&quot; the statement added. 
 
China is also involved in maritime disputes in the South China Sea with countries including the Philippines, but a UN-backed tribunal has ruled that Beijing&#39;s claims were invalid.

(AFP) 
 
&nbsp;

Four Chinese vessels allegedly entered the waters surrounding the islets, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, around 10am

Tokyo protested to Beijing on Sunday after Chinese coast guard ships sailed into territorial waters surrounding disputed islands in the East China Sea, Japan said. Four Chinese vessels entered the waters surrounding islets, called the Senkaku in Japan and the Diaoyu in China, around 10.00 am local time (0100 GMT), according to Japan Coast Guard. They left the territorial waters within an hour, the coast guard said. The two countries are locked in a long-running dispute over the uninhabited islets. Tokyo has lodged at least 32 protests through diplomatic channels since August 5 over what it says have been about 30 intrusions by Chinese vessels in the territorial waters. The director general of the Japanese foreign ministry's Asian and Oceanian affairs bureau, Kenji Kanasugi, issued a protest Sunday to the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, saying that the ships' "incursion" violated Japan's sovereignty, the ministry said in a statement. "Despite Japan's repeated strong protests, the Chinese side has continued to take unilateral actions that raise tensions on the ground, and that is absolutely unacceptable," the statement added. China is also involved in maritime disputes in the South China Sea with countries including the Philippines, but a UN-backed tribunal has ruled that Beijing's claims were invalid. (AFP)

Japan protests as Chinese ships sail near disputed islands