According to the KCNA, North Korea views Japan’s defense posture—particularly its development of long-range missile capabilities and purchase of foreign weapon systems—as a direct challenge to regional peace. The white paper, published by Japan’s Ministry of Defense, frames Pyongyang’s advancing weapons programs and strategic ties with Russia as central threats.

The North Korean statement warned that Tokyo’s military ambitions represent a step toward re-militarization and threaten to destabilize East Asia. It reiterated that North Korea would not overlook actions that infringe on its sovereignty or regional security.

Japan’s Strategic Reorientation Raises Alarm

Japan’s 2025 defense white paper underscores a significant policy shift as Tokyo ramps up deterrence capabilities amid growing security concerns in the Indo-Pacific. The inclusion of North Korea, along with China and Russia, as “grave and urgent threats” reflects rising anxieties over missile launches, joint drills, and geopolitical alignments—especially North Korea’s warming ties with Moscow.

This latest exchange deepens already strained Japan-North Korea relations, with Pyongyang viewing Tokyo’s defense buildup as both provocative and reminiscent of its wartime history. Meanwhile, Japan has justified its posture as necessary for national and regional defense amid an increasingly unpredictable security environment.