Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
Japan built a large and capable armored force to counter the Soviets during the Cold War.
But a rising China poses a new challenge, and Japan is changing how it designs and uses its armor.
Despite a few successes early in World War II, Japanese armor was hopelessly outclassed by Allied tanks as soon as they arrived in large numbers.
Those experiences and the threat of a Soviet invasion led the Japanese to put much more effort into post-war tank designs. By the 1990s, Japan had a large and capable armored force.
But the Japan Self Defense Force (JSDF) has had to recalibrate in recent decades.
Japan is rethinking how to use its tanks to prepare for a potential clash with China yahoo.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from yahoo.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Japan bolsters defense of Nansei islands as China puts pressure on Taiwan Sorry, but your browser needs Javascript to use this site. If you re not sure how to activate it, please refer to this site: https://www.enable-javascript.com/
Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi speaks to reporters during his visit to Yonaguni Island in Okinawa Prefecture on April 17. | KYODO
Jiji May 2, 2021
Japan has been moving rapidly to strengthen its capability to defend the southwestern Nansei islands amid China’s growing military pressure on Taiwan.
The moves are part of Tokyo’s efforts to brace for a contingency surrounding Taiwan near the remote islands that are part of Kagoshima and Okinawa prefectures.
China criticises Japan over Fukushima treated water release Toggle share menu
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China criticises Japan over Fukushima treated water release
Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant is seen from Namie town, Fukushima prefecture, north of Tokyo, Apr 13, 2021. (Photo: Yusuke Ogata/Kyodo News via AP)
28 Apr 2021 08:38PM (Updated:
28 Apr 2021 08:44PM) Share this content
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BEIJING: China renewed its criticism on Wednesday (Apr 28) of Japan s decision to release treated radioactive water from the wrecked Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian called the decision to release the water over the next two years a money-saving measure that is “extremely irresponsible .
China criticizes Japan over Fukushima treated water release
April 28, 2021
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1of3FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013, file photo, a Japanese Coast Guard boat and vessel sail alongside Japanese activists fishing boat, not in photo, warning the activists away from a group of disputed islands called Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China. Japan on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, said its military has raised caution levels around the Senkaku islands that it controls but are also claimed by Beijing after six Chinese warships passed near the area and a reconnaissance helicopter flew toward it.Emily Wang/APShow MoreShow Less
2of3FILE - In this Sunday, Aug. 18, 2013, file photo, a Japanese Coast Guard boat and vessel sail alongside Japanese activists fishing boat, not in photo, warning the activists away from a group of disputed islands called Senkaku by Japan and Diaoyu by China. Japan on Wednesday, April 28, 2021, said its military has raised caution level