This year, the Japanese Ministry of Defense distributed about 6,100 “Children’s Defense White Papers” to about 2,400 elementary schools across the country. The content regards China and others as imaginary enemies and reminds them that they are military threats. This move has caused dissatisfaction in China, which believes that the content is a wrong perception of China.
According to reports from Japanese and Chinese media, the Japanese Ministry of Defense has started to produce a children’s version of the Defense White Paper since 2021. After simplifying the original content of the Defense White Paper, children can understand it more easily. This year’s children’s version of the Defense White Paper is based on the content of the Defense Ministry’s 2024 Defense White Paper. It is also the first time that it has been distributed directly to schools.
This children’s version of the Defense White Paper reminds schoolchildren that the area where Japan is located is not safe, and China, Russia, North Korea, etc. are military threats. It also pointed out that Ukraine was invaded by Russia because Ukraine’s national defense force was insufficient, so the Japanese Self-Defense Forces had a need to exist.
On July 15, Japan passed the 2025 version of the Defense White Paper at a cabinet meeting, which stated that China’s active military activities may have a serious impact on Japan, and that the strengthening of military relations between China and Russia poses serious security risks.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said that Japan’s Defense White Paper has a wrong perception of China and hypes up the argument of China’s threat. China expressed strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this and has made solemn representations to Japan. He called on Japan to stop exaggerating tensions and issues related to China, and not to find excuses for its own military expansion.
