Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi analyzed the activities of the Chinese aircraft carrier Liaoning during a press conference on Tuesday [1].
These comments come as Japan navigates rising maritime tensions with China and increasing financial pressure from the U.S. to bolster regional security spending.
Koizumi spoke following a cabinet meeting on June 2, focusing on the operational patterns of the Liaoning and the broader implications for Japanese national security [1]. The minister said the People's Liberation Army Navy poses a strategic threat, noting reports that China plans to triple its number of aircraft carriers by 2035 [3].
Regarding specific naval encounters, Koizumi addressed an exercise conducted by the Liaoning on Dec. 6, 2025 [2]. There is a discrepancy regarding communication between the two nations during that event. While some reports suggest China claimed to have notified Japanese vessels approximately 30 minutes before the training began [4], Koizumi said there was no specific notification of the flight training from the Chinese side [2].
Beyond the immediate movements of the Liaoning, Koizumi responded to requests from U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for allies and partner nations to increase their defense expenditures [1]. The request reflects a broader U.S. strategy to share the financial burden of maintaining a presence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Koizumi's remarks on Dec. 10, 2025, during a separate press conference, had previously touched upon these tensions [2]. The current analysis emphasizes the need for Japan to maintain a high state of readiness as Chinese naval capabilities expand. The minister said the scale and frequency of carrier-led operations in the region continue to be monitored closely by the Ministry of Defense [1].
“China plans to triple its number of aircraft carriers by 2035”
The tension between Japan and China over maritime boundaries is intensifying as Beijing expands its blue-water navy. By highlighting the lack of communication during carrier exercises and the pressure from Washington to spend more on defense, Japan is signaling that its security environment is deteriorating, which may justify future budget increases and deeper military integration with the US.
