Certain level of defense capabilities needed for Japan to stay safe: expert

"A certain level of defense capabilities is needed for peace and stability in the region because China might use or threaten to use military force if they think they can beat other countries easily," said Tsuneo Watanabe, a senior research fellow at the Sasakawa Peace Foundation in Tokyo, in an interview with Kyodo News. Japan's buildup has gone beyond its defense-oriented policy, Jiang said, urging Tokyo to "reflect on its history of aggression and respect the security concerns of its Asian neighbors and the rest of the international community." The Japanese government has repeatedly said recognizing a Palestinian state is not a matter of if but when, but critics say Tokyo is just following the position of the United States, Tokyo's most important ally, while nations such as Britain, Canada and France have decided to recognize a Palestinian state.