Japan Monitors China's 'Justice Mission 2025' Drills Near Taiwan, Expresses Concerns

Japan Responds to Chinese Military Drills

Japan has formally conveyed its 'concerns' to China regarding the recent large-scale military exercises conducted by Beijing around Taiwan. The drills, code-named 'Justice Mission 2025', took place on Monday, December 29, and Tuesday, December 30, 2025, and were described as China's most extensive to date in the region.

Japanese Foreign Ministry Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro issued a statement on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, asserting that the exercises 'constitute actions that increase tensions across the Taiwan Strait'. Kitamura reiterated Japan's consistent stance that the issue surrounding Taiwan should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, emphasizing that 'Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are important for the international community as a whole'. Japan affirmed its intention to 'continue to monitor related developments with strong interest'.

Scope of China's 'Justice Mission 2025' Exercises

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) deployed a comprehensive array of forces for the 'Justice Mission 2025' drills, including:

• Army, Navy, Air Force, and Rocket Force units
• Fighter jets, bombers, destroyers, and frigates
• A Type 075 amphibious assault ship, marking its first appearance in drills around Taiwan
• Long-range live-fire rocket drills

These exercises were conducted in five designated zones around Taiwan, simulating a full blockade of the island. The drills focused on 'sea-air combat readiness patrols, joint assaults, and blockades of key ports and areas', serving as a 'stern warning' against 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces and external interference.

Japan's Enhanced Surveillance and Regional Context

In response to the escalating military activities, Japan has indicated its readiness to enhance its intelligence gathering and surveillance capabilities around Taiwan. Officials stated that the Self-Defense Forces are prepared to 'gather information and conduct surveillance around Taiwan using destroyers and patrol planes'. This comes amidst a backdrop of heightened regional tensions, including a recent $11 billion arms sale from the United States to Taiwan.

Furthermore, the drills followed remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in November, who stated that Chinese military actions against Taiwan, such as a naval blockade, could be considered a 'situation threatening Japan's survival', potentially prompting Japanese intervention. Beijing, in turn, criticized the concerns raised by Japan and other nations, accusing them of being 'extremely hypocritical' and distorting facts.