{"id":2900,"date":"2025-12-29T18:48:37","date_gmt":"2025-12-29T09:48:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/?page_id=2900"},"modified":"2026-01-08T18:50:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T09:50:21","slug":"vol-36-december-29-2025","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/","title":{"rendered":"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"l-container\">\n<div class=\"l-post-content\">\n<style>\nbody {\n    width: 100%;\n    height: 100%;<span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span>\n    margin: 0;<span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_end\">\ufeff<\/span>\n    padding: 0;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\nh1, h2, h3, h4, th, td, p, div {\n    font-family: \"Helvetica\", sans-serif;\n}\ntable tr, table th, table td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n    font-weight: normal;\n}\n.c-table, .l-post-content table, #tinymce.post-type-post table, #tinymce.post-type-page table, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table, #tinymce.post-type-research table, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\n.c-table > thead > tr > th, .l-post-content table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > thead > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > thead > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > th, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > th, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > th, .c-table > tbody > tr > td, .l-post-content table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-post table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-page table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-symposium table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-rips_eye table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-activity_report table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-monthly_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-corporate_seminar table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-research table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-president_column table > tbody > tr > td, #tinymce.post-type-tinymcetemplates table > tbody > tr > td {\n    border: none;\n    padding: 0;\n    margin: 0;\n}\nhr, .hr {\n    border: none;\n    border-bottom: 1px solid #000;\n    margin-left: 0;\n    margin-right: 0;\n    max-width: none;\n    margin-top: 10px;\n    margin-bottom: 10px;\n}\ncenter {\n    word-break: break-all;\n}\ncenter .table-base {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    : 100%;\n    margin: 0;\n    padding: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    background-color: #fafafa;\n}\ncenter .table-inner {\n    border-collapse: collapse;\n    border: 0;\n    width: 100%;\n    max-width: 600px;\n}\ncenter img {\n    max-: 240px;\n    width: auto;\n}\ncenter ul {\n    display: block;\n}\ncenter li {\n    display: block;\n}\n.table-box {\n    width: 100%;\n    overflow-x: auto;<\/p>\n<p>}\n.table-box table {\n    width: 100%;\n    display: block;\n}\nol li {\nlist-style: decimal;\n}\n<\/style>\n<p>    <center><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"max-width: 450.0pt; border-collapse: collapse; background-color: #ffffff;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm; background: cover no-repeat #ffffff;\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100.0%; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm; min-width: 100%;\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" width=\"100%\" style=\"width: 100.0%; background: white; border-collapse: collapse; min-width: 100%;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt; min-width: 100%;\">\n<h1 style=\"text-align: center; font-size: 18.0pt; color: #202020;\">Vol.36. December 29. 2025<\/h1>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 18.0pt;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt; min-width: 100%;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; color: black;\">Monthly Column<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; color: black;\">Ensuring Strategic Deterrence in the First-Island-<br \/>\n                              Chain: A Japanese-ed First Island Chain Minilateral?<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; color: black;\">Renato Cruz De Castro<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; color: black;\">Distinguished Professor,<br \/>\n                              De La Salle University, Manila<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\"><u><\/u>\u00a0<u><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<p>The Trump Administration\u2019s recently released November 2025 National Security Strategy of the United States revived the mid-20th-century geopolitical concept of the strategic relevance of the first island chain. The said document stated: \u201cWe will build a military capable of denying aggression anywhere in the First Island Chain. However, the American military cannot, and should not, have to do this alone. Our allies must step up and spend\u2014and more importantly do\u2014<\/p>\n<p>much more for collective defense.\u201d The first-island chain is the geopolitical linear arrangement of three major island groups: Japan\u2019s Southwest Islands, Taiwan, and the Philippine archipelago. The concept of a first-island chain is based on a traditional geopolitical assumption that occupying and controlling this collection of islands provides locational advantages, triggering undeniable attractions from great naval powers, drawing them in through a small island&#8217;s &quot;suction effect&quot; (SISE).<\/p>\n<p>In recent times, driven by its vast economy and expanding navy, Beijing has pursued a policy of maritime expansionism that challenges Washington\u2019s pivotal position in the first-island chain, extending from Japan to Taiwan and the Philippines. Projecting its growing comprehensive power eastward, China seeks to break past the first island chain, namely Japan\u2019s Southwest Island chain, Taiwan, and the Philippines, into the open waters of the Western and Central Pacific. This, consequently, is leading to a 21st-century version of the mid-20th-century Cold War First Island Chain Strategy.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Reviving a 21st Century Island-Chain Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Washington conceived the first island chain strategy during the Cold War to contain the Soviet Union and China. It provided for establishing American naval and air bases in the Western Pacific, from which to project American air and naval power and deny access to Soviet and Chinese expansion into the Central Pacific. In the context of the 21st century, the strategy involves linking the defense postures of the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan through security partnerships among the three. Three significant developments are creating the necessary conditions for the formation of a first island chain strategy that can constrain Chinese maritime expansion. They are: the Philippines\u2019 adoption of a Comprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC), the enhancement of the Philippine-Japan security partnership, and the growing realization by Manila and Tokyo that they need to link their security relations with Taipei, despite their respective One-China policies.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Philippines\u2019 Archipelagic Defense Concept (CADC)<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In January 2024, Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro announced a new defense concept known as the \u201cComprehensive Archipelagic Defense Concept\u201d (CADC). The CADC requires the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to create a credible defensive posture to build the country\u2019s deterrent capabilities in the Philippines&#8217; archipelagic waters and EEZ. The CADC aims to rectify the Philippines\u2019 strategic vulnerabilities and enhance the AFP\u2019s capability to protect national interests through long-term plans. The CADC is designed to enable the AFP to project its capabilities into maritime areas of the country that require protection and preservation. The Philippine military must boost its maritime situational awareness, connectivity, intelligence capabilities (C41STAR), and area-denial and deterrence capabilities in marine and aerial domains. The AFP must also adopt a new strategic paradigm, driven by the urgency to develop its anti-access and area denial capabilities. This also requires the AFP to develop strategic bases around the fringes of the Philippine archipelago. These measures are designed to prevent other militaries from operating or crossing the vast stretches of its archipelagic territory, with the stated goal of making its EEZ in the West Philippine Sea\/South China Sea a no-go zone of the Chinese maritime militia, China Coast Guard (CCG), and People\u2019s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).<\/p>\n<p>By implication, this means the AFP is moving away from its old concept of defending the country\u2019s long and rugged coastal areas. This required the Philippine military to anticipate an invading force moving toward the country\u2019s shoreline before mounting any combat operation against this amphibious enemy. Instead, the AFP is formulating a new strategic paradigm based on the need to bolster its anti-access and area denial capabilities within the Philippines\u2019 archipelagic territories, including the country\u2019s EEZ. This also required the AFP to develop defense capabilities and utilize resources to establish a credible deterrent posture or forward defense that covers the country\u2019s exclusive economic zone (EEZ). These capabilities are intended to prevent other militaries from operating or crossing the vast stretches of its archipelagic territory, with the stated goal of making its EEZ in the West Philippine Sea\/South China Sea a no-go zone for the Chinese maritime militia, CCG, and PLAN. More significantly, implementing CADC would effectively enable the Philippines to fill the strategic vacuum in the southern flank of the First Island Chain.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Enhancement of Philippine-Japan Security Partnership through JAPHUS<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In recent times, Tokyo and Washington have expanded their alliance relationship, especially in the maritime security domain, by including a third party. The U.S. and Japan have enhanced their collective defense capabilities through consultations and involvement with other Indo-Pacific countries, including Australia, India, and South Korea. From 2023 to 2024, Tokyo and Washington decided to engage Manila strategically. This led the Kishida Administration to focus on enhancing Japan\u2019s strategic partnership with the Philippines. On April 11, 2024, Presidents Ferdinand Marcos of the Philippines and Joe Biden of the United States, along with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida of Japan, convened in Washington, D.C. to meet for the first summit of the Japan-Philippine-U.S. (JAPHUS) Trilateral Security Partnership.<\/p>\n<p>With Japan and the U.S. strengthening their respective security relations with the Philippines, the three countries have worked to bring each other closer to deep and comprehensive trilateral security cooperation, building up what can be considered a collective capacity to address common regional security concerns. Japan, the Philippines, and the U.S. are intensifying their security partnership through the JAPHUS defense network. This security network is formed by a strengthened alliance between Tokyo and Washington, with both allies strengthening the foundations of their strategic partnerships with Manila. Consequently, JAPHIS\u2019s informal and de facto trilateral security network is intact and active, generating appreciable results after its formation in April 2024. These benefits include:<\/p>\n<p>1) Through JAPHUS, the U.S. and Japanese security assistance and guarantee to the Philippines have strengthened its resolve to confront Chinese gray zone operations in the South China Sea.<\/p>\n<p>2) Through Japan\u2019s participation in the trilateral security partnership, Tokyo has extended security assistance to the AFP modernization program by providing radar and other non-lethal military hardware.<\/p>\n<p>3) Through this trilateral security arrangement, Japan and the U.S. have synchronized their security assistance to the Philippines by aligning their efforts to support the Philippines\u2019 defense priorities in implementing the CADC. For example, the installation of Japanese-made air-surveillance systems at Wallace Air Station, and the U.S. continued development and integration of the Philippine Air Force (PAF) air domain sensors at the Basa Air Base Command and Control Fusion Center, have collectively helped develop the AFP\u2019s air and sea domain-awareness capabilities in its archipelagic waters.<\/p>\n<p>4) Through JAPHUS, the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF), the AFP, and the U.S. Armed Forces have enhanced operational coordination and interoperability by periodically conducting multilateral maritime cooperative activities in the South and East China Seas. Through these activities, the AFP, the JSDF, and the U.S. Armed Forces have agreed to explore joint planning for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance activities to enhance interoperability and coordination in effective maritime and air domain awareness in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and surrounding waters.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Recognition of the Need to Establish Security Relations with Taiwan<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>In the recent past, Manila and Tokyo have been less vocal about their security concerns about China\u2019s plan for an armed unification against Taiwan because of their respective One-China Policy. However, there is a growing realization in the two capitals that if China controls and dominates the South China Sea and Taiwan, Beijing can tilt the balance of power in its favor. China will then exercise effective sea control over the region\u2019s sea lanes of communications (SLOCS) and effectively prevent the U.S. 7th Fleet from operating within the waters of the first-island-chain. Hence, aside from ensuring that no single power controls and dominates the South China Sea, it is also in Manila&#8217;s and Tokyo\u2019s interest to ensure that Taipei remains a strategic buffer against Beijing\u2019s goal to dominate the first island chain. This led to both Manila and Tokyo expressing their mutual concerns about China\u2019s irredentist agenda regarding Taiwan, despite their adherence to the One-China policy.<\/p>\n<p>Recently, the Marcos Administration has become more articulate about the need for the Philippines to prepare for a Taiwan contingency. In August 2025, during President Marcos Jr.\u2019s first official visit to India, he publicly mentioned what many defense officials, analysts, and military officers are discussing in several closed-door defense and security conferences in the Philippines: \u201cIf there is an all-out war, we will be drawn into it. We will have to go into Taiwan and bring our people home.\u201d Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma hosted this question during an interview about how the Philippines will respond in a Taiwan contingency. President Marcos added that his country \u201ccannot stay out if a conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan,\u201d as the Philippines would be \u201cdrawn into it to protect its citizens working in Taiwan.\u201d A few days later, after his return to Manila, he reiterated what he stated in Delhi: \u201cTo be practical about it, if there is confrontation over Taiwan between China and the United States, there is no way that the Philippines can stay out of it because of our geographical location.\u201d President Marcos reiterated this statement in response to the Chinese Foreign Ministry\u2019s harsh and critical condemnation of his remarks regarding the Philippines&#8217; potential response in the event of a contingency involving Taiwan.<\/p>\n<p>Tokyo has also been vocal about its need to prepare and respond to a Taiwan Contingency. In the past, Japanese prime ministers have refrained from answering hypothetical questions on a Taiwan emergency and contingency. However, this changed in November 2025 when Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi\u2019s recent statement hinting that a Chinese naval blockade in the vicinity of Taiwan could constitute a \u2018survival-threatening situation\u2014potentially triggering the mobilization of the Self-Defense Forces\u2014that has recently triggered a major Sino-Japanese diplomatic row.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A Japanese-led First Island Chain Mini-lateral?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The first step in forming this island defense system is for the three to establish a security partnership among themselves. Japan and the Philippines have already linked their respective defense policies through the 2015 Philippine-Japan Strategic Partnership, known as JAPHUS, and more recently, the Philippine-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) of 2025. Both the Philippines and Japan, despite their One-China policy, must pursue an informal security partnership with Taiwan. As the most powerful among the first island chain countries, Japan must take the lead in forming a First Island Chain mini lateral. To form this fist-island chain mini-lateral, Manila, Taipei, and Tokyo should consider the following measures:<\/p>\n<p>1) Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines should view their respective long-term strategic interests as closely linked and inviolable.<\/p>\n<p>2) Manila, Taipei, and Tokyo should hold several informal and track 2 dialogues regarding the inviolability of their security interests and the need to link their defense policies despite the Philippines and Japan\u2019s One-China Policies.<\/p>\n<p>3) The Philippines and Japan should enhance their comprehensive security partnerships through joint military exercises and maritime cooperative activities, Subject Matter Exchanges (SME) exchanges, transfer of Japanese Excess Defense Articles to the Philippines, and mutual logistic arrangements.<\/p>\n<p>4) Despite the Philippines\u2019 strict and highly legalistic One-China Policy, Manila and Taiwan should explore an informal defense cooperation through intelligence exchanges, security and defense dialogues between ranking AFP and Taiwan Armed Forces, SME exchange, joint military exercises in third countries, and maritime cooperative activities at the Luzon Straits and the Philippine Sea.<\/p>\n<p>5) Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines should strengthen their respective security relations with their common security ally and partner, the United States.<\/p>\n<p>6) The AFP, the JSDF, and the Taiwan armed forces should encourage the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM) to host military exercises and command conferences at Guam and Hawaii, where units from the AFP, the Taiwan armed forces, and the JSDF can join and participate.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 6.75pt 0mm 0mm 0mm;\">\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" align=\"left\" style=\"background: white; border-collapse: collapse;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"font-size: 16.0pt; color: black;\">Statistical Data and Analysis (as of December 29)<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span lang=\"EN-US\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 1rem; background: #aeedf1;\">\n<p>In the latter half of this month, diplomatic activities related to events that had occurred by the nd of the previous period continued. <\/p>\n<p>In response to Prime Minister Takaichi&#8217;s remarks last month regarding a Taiwan contingency, China has demanded the retraction of those remarks, while continuing to assert its own position and criticize Japan. Japan has countered that China&#8217;s claims lack any basis and is seeking understanding from other countries. <\/p>\n<p>Japan briefed the United Kingdom, New Zealand, the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia on two incidents this month: a radar incident in which a Chinese military aircraft illuminated a Japan Air Self\u2013Defense Force (JASDF) aircraft with radar, and the Chinese\u2013Russian bombers\u2019 joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific, and conveyed its grave concerns over these incidents. <br \/>\nJapan agreed with each country to advance cooperation. <\/p>\n<p>Additionally, China Coast Guard actions that endangered Filipino fishermen this month drew condemnation not only from the Philippines but also from the United States and the European Union.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><strong>[Statistical Data as of December 29]<\/strong><\/p>\n<p style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Japan Coast Guard (JCG) daily updates the statistical data on the number of China Coast Guard vessels entering in the contiguous zone around the Senkaku Islands and intruding into Japanese territorial waters. The below is from the website of JCG.<br \/>\n                                        <span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\"><u><a style=\"color: #337ab7;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1747767620766000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3rmblBYJV8jJv1MT9qGhme\" rel=\"noopener\">https:\/\/www.kaiho.mlit.go.jp\/<wbr \/><br \/>\n                                        mission\/senkaku\/senkaku.html<\/a><\/u><\/span><\/p>\n<table border=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" style=\"border-collapse: collapse;\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Dec.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Contiguous zone<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Territorial<br \/>\n                                              Waters<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Dec.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Contiguous zone<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"middle\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">Territorial<br \/>\n                                              Waters<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">15<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">2<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">22<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">16<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">23<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">17<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">24<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><span class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">18<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">25<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">19<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">26<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">20<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">27<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">21<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">1<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">28<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td nowrap=\"nowrap\" style=\"border-top: none; border-left: none; border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; padding: 0mm 4.95pt 0mm 4.95pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" style=\"padding: 0mm 0mm 0mm 0mm;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 0mm 13.5pt 0mm 13.5pt;\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td colspan=\"2\" valign=\"top\" style=\"padding: 0mm 13.5pt 6.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\">\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"100\" valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"text-align: center;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">Date<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" align=\"center\" style=\"margin-right: 12.0pt; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-left: 12.0pt; text-align: center;\"><b><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">Topics<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-150\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;15,&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;<wbr>between&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;state&nbsp;<wbr>minister&nbsp;for&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;affairs&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;parliamentary&nbsp;under-secretary&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;state&nbsp;(Indo-Pacific)&nbsp;was&nbsp;<wbr>held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;state&nbsp;minister&nbsp;<wbr>expressed&nbsp;her&nbsp;intention&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>further&nbsp;expand&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;<wbr>between&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;UK,&nbsp;an&nbsp;\u201cenhanced&nbsp;global&nbsp;<wbr>strategic&nbsp;partner\u201d&nbsp;that&nbsp;share&nbsp;<wbr>fundamental&nbsp;values&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>strategic&nbsp;interests.&nbsp;Both&nbsp;sides&nbsp;<wbr>exchanged&nbsp;views&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;wide&nbsp;<wbr>range&nbsp;of&nbsp;issues,&nbsp;including&nbsp;<wbr>bilateral&nbsp;relations&nbsp;in&nbsp;areas&nbsp;such&nbsp;as&nbsp;security&nbsp;as&nbsp;<wbr>well&nbsp;as&nbsp;regional&nbsp;issues&nbsp;<wbr>including&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Indo-Pacific,<wbr>&nbsp;and&nbsp;concurred to&nbsp;continue&nbsp;close&nbsp;coordination&nbsp;<wbr>between&nbsp;the&nbsp;two&nbsp;countries.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-151\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01926.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01926.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0mLcGrDD5_t6xFYJR3y7EX\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01926.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-152\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Three&nbsp;Filipino&nbsp;fishermen&nbsp;were&nbsp;<wbr>injured&nbsp;and&nbsp;two&nbsp;fishing&nbsp;<wbr>vessels&nbsp;damaged&nbsp;when&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>coast&nbsp;guard&nbsp;ships&nbsp;blasted&nbsp;water&nbsp;<wbr>cannons&nbsp;and&nbsp;cut&nbsp;their&nbsp;anchor&nbsp;<wbr>lines&nbsp;near&nbsp;Sabina&nbsp;Shoal&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;on&nbsp;December&nbsp;12,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Philippine&nbsp;Coast&nbsp;Guard&nbsp;said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China&nbsp;said&nbsp;the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;<wbr>deployed&nbsp;numerous&nbsp;ships&nbsp;on&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;12&nbsp;to&nbsp;\u201ccreate&nbsp;<wbr>trouble,\u201d&nbsp;ignored&nbsp;repeated&nbsp;warnings,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>remained&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;lagoon.&nbsp;It&nbsp;<wbr>also&nbsp;alleged&nbsp;that&nbsp;Philippine&nbsp;<wbr>vessels&nbsp;took&nbsp;dangerous&nbsp;actions,&nbsp;including&nbsp;<wbr>abrupt&nbsp;course&nbsp;changes,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>that&nbsp;personnel&nbsp;even&nbsp;<wbr>brandished&nbsp;knives&nbsp;at&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;coast&nbsp;guard&nbsp;<wbr>officers,&nbsp;according&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>foreign&nbsp;ministry&nbsp;spokesperson&nbsp;<wbr>on&nbsp;December&nbsp;15.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;Philippines\u2019&nbsp;maritime&nbsp;<wbr>council&nbsp;called&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>coast&nbsp;guard&nbsp;to&nbsp;act&nbsp;<wbr>responsibly,&nbsp;adhere&nbsp;to&nbsp;international&nbsp;standards,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>place&nbsp;the&nbsp;preservation&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>life&nbsp;at&nbsp;sea&nbsp;above&nbsp;actions&nbsp;<wbr>that&nbsp;sow&nbsp;fear&nbsp;and&nbsp;endanger&nbsp;civilians.&nbsp;It&nbsp;said&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;use&nbsp;of&nbsp;water&nbsp;cannons&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>dangerous&nbsp;manoeuvres&nbsp;causing&nbsp;<wbr>injury&nbsp;and&nbsp;damage&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be&nbsp;<wbr>justified,&nbsp;and&nbsp;said&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Philippines&nbsp;would&nbsp;lodge&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>strong&nbsp;protest&nbsp;and&nbsp;demand&nbsp;China&nbsp;cease&nbsp;such&nbsp;<wbr>aggressive&nbsp;acts.&nbsp;Presidential&nbsp;<wbr>press&nbsp;officer&nbsp;told&nbsp;reporters&nbsp;<wbr>that&nbsp;the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;will&nbsp;file&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>demarche&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>embassy&nbsp;on&nbsp;December&nbsp;15.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;United&nbsp;States&nbsp;has&nbsp;<wbr>condemned&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;use&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>water&nbsp;cannons&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;cutting&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;Filipino&nbsp;fishermen\u2019s&nbsp;anchor&nbsp;lines,&nbsp;<wbr>saying&nbsp;it&nbsp;stands&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Philippines&nbsp;against&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>provocative&nbsp;and&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;dangerous&nbsp;<wbr>actions&nbsp;that&nbsp;undermine&nbsp;<wbr>regional&nbsp;stability.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-153\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><b>Reuters<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/philippines-protest-chinas-actions-that-injured-filipino-fishermen-south-china-2025-12-15\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/asia-pacific\/philippines-protest-chinas-actions-that-injured-filipino-fishermen-south-china-2025-12-15\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2yjN5jR9eHlUzeJsCAXANQ\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/<wbr>asia-pacific\/philippines-<wbr>protest-chinas-actions-that-<wbr>injured-filipino-fishermen-<wbr>south-china-2025-12-15\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/15<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-154\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea:&nbsp;Statement&nbsp;by&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;Spokesperson&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>recent&nbsp;dangerous&nbsp;actions<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;condemns&nbsp;the&nbsp;recent&nbsp;<wbr>dangerous&nbsp;actions&nbsp;by&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;Coast&nbsp;Guard&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;<wbr>deployment&nbsp;of&nbsp;water&nbsp;cannons&nbsp;and&nbsp;cutting&nbsp;<wbr>anchor&nbsp;lines&nbsp;&#8211;&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;South&nbsp;<wbr>China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;against&nbsp;Philippine fishing&nbsp;vessels. These&nbsp;actions&nbsp;threatened&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>safety&nbsp;of&nbsp;life&nbsp;at&nbsp;sea,&nbsp;<wbr>causing&nbsp;injury&nbsp;to&nbsp;civilians&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;undermined&nbsp;the&nbsp;lawful&nbsp;<wbr>exercise&nbsp;of&nbsp;maritime&nbsp;rights.&nbsp;<wbr>The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;recalls&nbsp;that&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>United&nbsp;Nations&nbsp;Convention&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Law&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Sea&nbsp;(UNCLOS)&nbsp;is&nbsp;the&nbsp;legal&nbsp;<wbr>framework&nbsp;governing&nbsp;all&nbsp;<wbr>activities&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;oceans&nbsp;and&nbsp;seas,&nbsp;which&nbsp;should&nbsp;<wbr>be&nbsp;upheld&nbsp;and&nbsp;respected&nbsp;at&nbsp;<wbr>all&nbsp;times.&nbsp;The&nbsp;2016&nbsp;Arbitral&nbsp;<wbr>Award&nbsp;is&nbsp;final&nbsp;and&nbsp;legally&nbsp;binding&nbsp;on&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;parties&nbsp;concerned.&nbsp;The&nbsp;EU&nbsp;<wbr>calls&nbsp;for&nbsp;de-escalation&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>tensions&nbsp;and&nbsp;expects&nbsp;China&nbsp;to&nbsp;exercise&nbsp;<wbr>restraint,&nbsp;refrain&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>use&nbsp;of&nbsp;force&nbsp;or&nbsp;coercion,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>resolve&nbsp;disputes&nbsp;peacefully,&nbsp;in&nbsp;full&nbsp;respect&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;international&nbsp;law.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-155\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">The European External Action Service<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/south-china-sea-statement-spokesperson-recent-dangerous-actions_en\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/south-china-sea-statement-spokesperson-recent-dangerous-actions_en&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1cYwcEUA44G2j7ldtLA_8l\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/<wbr>eeas\/south-china-sea-<wbr>statement-spokesperson-recent-<wbr>dangerous-actions_en<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-156\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><font color=\"#2322e4\"><\/font>On December 16, the Philippine defense secretary denounced what he described as \u201cdangerous\u201d&nbsp;and \u201cinhumane\u201d actions by the Chinese coast guard, after three Filipino fishermen were injured&nbsp;and two fishing vessels damaged when they used water cannons and cut their anchor lines at a&nbsp;contested South China Sea shoal last week. &#8220;Water cannoning, aggressive manoeuvring, and the&nbsp;cutting of anchor lines resulting in physical injuries of Filipino civilians are wholly inconsistent&nbsp;with the duty of all States to ensure the safety of human lives,&#8221; he said in a statement. He&nbsp;dismissed as &#8220;blatant lies&#8221; China&#8217;s assertions that the fishermen brandished knives to threaten&nbsp;Chinese coast guard officers. &#8220;We call on China to stop spreading false narratives and engaging in&nbsp;a state-orchestrated disinformation campaign,&#8221; he said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-157\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><b>Reuters<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/philippines-denounces-chinas-dangerous-inhumane-actions-against-filipino-2025-12-16\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/philippines-denounces-chinas-dangerous-inhumane-actions-against-filipino-2025-12-16\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2viHQrJVqCThWj2r6EsOQO\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/<wbr>china\/philippines-denounces-<wbr>chinas-dangerous-inhumane-<wbr>actions-against-filipino-2025-<wbr>12-16\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/16<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-158\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China\u2019s&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;<wbr>representative&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;UN&nbsp;has&nbsp;<wbr>reiterated&nbsp;his&nbsp;demand&nbsp;that&nbsp;<wbr>Japanese&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;Takaichi&nbsp;Sanae&nbsp;<wbr>retract&nbsp;her&nbsp;remark&nbsp;about&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwan&nbsp;contingency.&nbsp;At&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;15&nbsp;UN&nbsp;Security&nbsp;Council&nbsp;meeting,&nbsp;he&nbsp;<wbr>described&nbsp;the&nbsp;remark&nbsp;as&nbsp;rude&nbsp;<wbr>interference&nbsp;in&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>domestic&nbsp;affairs&nbsp;and&nbsp;emphasized&nbsp;that&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwan&nbsp;is&nbsp;part&nbsp;of&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>territory&nbsp;and&nbsp;cannot&nbsp;be&nbsp;<wbr>separated.&nbsp;His&nbsp;comments&nbsp;deviated&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>council\u2019s&nbsp;agenda&nbsp;that&nbsp;day,&nbsp;<wbr>which&nbsp;included&nbsp;the&nbsp;selection&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;the&nbsp;next&nbsp;secretary-general.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;<wbr>representative&nbsp;said&nbsp;it&nbsp;is&nbsp;<wbr>regrettable&nbsp;that&nbsp;China&nbsp;has&nbsp;<wbr>made&nbsp;a&nbsp;&#8220;groundless&nbsp;statement&nbsp;against&nbsp;Japan.&#8221;&nbsp;He&nbsp;<wbr>added&nbsp;that&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;remarks&nbsp;<wbr>seek&nbsp;to&nbsp;sow&nbsp;division&nbsp;among&nbsp;<wbr>member&nbsp;states&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;venue&nbsp;for&nbsp;<wbr>constructive&nbsp;discussion,&nbsp;<wbr>which&nbsp;is&nbsp;inappropriate&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>irrelevant.&nbsp;He&nbsp;reiterated&nbsp;that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;will&nbsp;respond&nbsp;<wbr>calmly&nbsp;through&nbsp;dialogue&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>hopes&nbsp;these&nbsp;debates&nbsp;help&nbsp;<wbr>member&nbsp;countries&nbsp;find&nbsp;the&nbsp;truth&nbsp;about&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>actions&nbsp;over&nbsp;the&nbsp;past&nbsp;80&nbsp;<wbr>years.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-159\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">NHK World<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251216_05\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251216_05\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fKRtNQauNQmNWx1vOp7S7\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/<wbr>nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251216_05\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-160\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><b>Reference: Japan&#8217;s position on China&#8217;s statement against Japan (24 November)<\/b><\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_112425.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_112425.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Y0k8G823zWa_-rXjBinFz\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.<wbr>jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_<wbr>112425.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-161\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><\/span><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Reference: Japan&#8217;s position on China&#8217;s statement against Japan (4 December)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_120425.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_120425.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2KGeEpbUuM9X8R-Go2n1EU\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.un.emb-japan.go.<wbr>jp\/itpr_en\/pressreleases_<wbr>120425.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-162\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China continues to protest remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on a Taiwan&nbsp;contingency by promoting its position at home and abroad. China\u2019s Foreign Ministry says its&nbsp;foreign minister toured the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Jordan from December 12 to&nbsp;16, stating that China firmly opposes Japan\u2019s leader interfering in China\u2019s internal affairs. China&nbsp;has explained its stance since last month at meetings with foreign ministers and other officials&nbsp;from Central Asia, Europe and Southeast Asia, and has repeatedly criticized Japan at the UN.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Sources familiar with Japan-China relations say China has been explaining its stance to foreign&nbsp;diplomats in Beijing and seeking their support.&nbsp;\n                                    <\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-163\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">NHK World<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251217_14\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251217_14\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218374000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2naH-Kb38k5Pdoh9KSeIt4\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/<wbr>nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251217_14\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-164\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">According&nbsp;to&nbsp;sources&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Defense&nbsp;Ministry,&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>defense&nbsp;minister&nbsp;began&nbsp;<wbr>coordination&nbsp;to&nbsp;hold&nbsp;telephone&nbsp;talks&nbsp;with&nbsp;his&nbsp;<wbr>counterparts&nbsp;in&nbsp;Britain&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;Philippines&nbsp;about&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>recent&nbsp;incident&nbsp;in&nbsp;which&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;<wbr>aircraft&nbsp;inappropriately&nbsp;<wbr>directed&nbsp;radar&nbsp;toward&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;<wbr>aircraft.&nbsp;He&nbsp;also&nbsp;plans&nbsp;a&nbsp;telephone&nbsp;conference&nbsp;with&nbsp;<wbr>South&nbsp;Korea\u2019s&nbsp;defense&nbsp;<wbr>minister.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;side&nbsp;<wbr>aims&nbsp;to&nbsp;seek&nbsp;understanding&nbsp;for&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>position&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;issue&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>obtain&nbsp;support&nbsp;from&nbsp;<wbr>international&nbsp;public&nbsp;opinion.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;15,&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>spokesperson&nbsp;for&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>Defense&nbsp;Ministry&nbsp;said&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;had&nbsp;notified&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;that&nbsp;carrier-<wbr>borne&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;would&nbsp;conduct&nbsp;<wbr>flight&nbsp;drills&nbsp;mainly&nbsp;south&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;carrier for&nbsp;about&nbsp;six&nbsp;hours&nbsp;from&nbsp;3&nbsp;p.<wbr>m.,&nbsp;and&nbsp;that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;received&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;radio&nbsp;message.&nbsp;In&nbsp;<wbr>response,&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;defense&nbsp;minister&nbsp;said&nbsp;<wbr>on&nbsp;December&nbsp;16&nbsp;that&nbsp;when&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>radar&nbsp;illumination&nbsp;incident&nbsp;<wbr>occurred&nbsp;on&nbsp;December&nbsp;6,&nbsp;a&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;Navy&nbsp;<wbr>ship&nbsp;contacted&nbsp;a&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;<wbr>Maritime&nbsp;Self&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;Force&nbsp;(<wbr>JMSDF)&nbsp;destroyer,&nbsp;but&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>communication&nbsp;did&nbsp;not&nbsp;include&nbsp;<wbr>details&nbsp;such&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;scale&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;drill&nbsp;or&nbsp;the&nbsp;latitude,&nbsp;longitude,&nbsp;or&nbsp;<wbr>airspace&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;exercise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-165\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Yomiuri Shimbun News&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/defense-security\/20251217-299022\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/defense-security\/20251217-299022\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2GO3pwFpUBQRx-ghYQLa01\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.<wbr>jp\/politics\/defense-security\/<wbr>20251217-299022\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/17<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-166\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;17,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Japan-UK&nbsp;<wbr>defense&nbsp;ministerial&nbsp;VTC&nbsp;was&nbsp;<wbr>held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;<wbr>his&nbsp;resolve&nbsp;to&nbsp;exercise&nbsp;<wbr>leadership&nbsp;together&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>UK&nbsp;secretary,&nbsp;based&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;shared&nbsp;<wbr>recognition&nbsp;that&nbsp;the&nbsp;security&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Euro-Atlantic&nbsp;and&nbsp;Indo-<wbr>Pacific&nbsp;is&nbsp;inseparable.&nbsp;The&nbsp;UK&nbsp;secretary&nbsp;<wbr>endorsed&nbsp;the&nbsp;remark.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Both&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>regional&nbsp;security&nbsp;environment.<wbr>&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;the&nbsp;December&nbsp;6&nbsp;radar&nbsp;incident,&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>which&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;<wbr>illuminated&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;fighters,&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;the&nbsp;December&nbsp;9&nbsp;Chinese-Russian&nbsp;<wbr>bombers\u2019&nbsp;joint&nbsp;flight&nbsp;from&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;East&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;to&nbsp;the Pacific.&nbsp;They&nbsp;shared&nbsp;serious&nbsp;concerns&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>stressed&nbsp;their&nbsp;unwavering&nbsp;<wbr>commitment&nbsp;to&nbsp;a&nbsp;free,&nbsp;open,&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;prosperous&nbsp;Indo-Pacific,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>concurred&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;need&nbsp;for&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>calm&nbsp;and&nbsp;resolute&nbsp;posture,&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;on&nbsp;communicating&nbsp;and&nbsp;cooperating&nbsp;<wbr>to&nbsp;preserve&nbsp;stability&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>region.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-167\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Defense of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/005ed0c55208b4c065d2c940e9c106a9c598608a.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/005ed0c55208b4c065d2c940e9c106a9c598608a.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3NTZqUmzNddGVfY4lsBrsl\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/<wbr>article\/2025\/12\/<wbr>005ed0c55208b4c065d2c940e9c106<wbr>a9c598608a.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-168\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><font color=\"#2322e4\"><\/font>On&nbsp;December&nbsp;18,&nbsp;Japan-<wbr>Thailand&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministers\u2019&nbsp;<wbr>working&nbsp;lunch&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Regarding&nbsp;bilateral&nbsp;relations,<wbr>&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;<wbr>his&nbsp;desire&nbsp;to&nbsp;strengthen&nbsp;<wbr>security&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;to&nbsp;ensure&nbsp;<wbr>regional&nbsp;peace&nbsp;and&nbsp;stability&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;the&nbsp;region.&nbsp;The&nbsp;two&nbsp;<wbr>ministers&nbsp;confirmed&nbsp;the&nbsp;importance&nbsp;of&nbsp;a&nbsp;Free&nbsp;and&nbsp;Open&nbsp;<wbr>Indo-Pacific&nbsp;amid&nbsp;a&nbsp;worsening&nbsp;<wbr>international&nbsp;situation&nbsp;and&nbsp;concurred on&nbsp;continuing&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;on&nbsp;<wbr>regional&nbsp;issues,&nbsp;including&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;East&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;and&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Sea.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-169\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><b>Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01938.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01938.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3gRagPZCCDJmTbj-WWAaER\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01938.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-170\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;18,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Japan-<wbr>Philippines&nbsp;defense&nbsp;<wbr>ministerial&nbsp;VTC&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Both&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;reaffirmed&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>need&nbsp;to&nbsp;further&nbsp;strengthen&nbsp;<wbr>bilateral&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;amid&nbsp;an&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;severe&nbsp;security&nbsp;<wbr>environment.&nbsp;They&nbsp;also&nbsp;<wbr>exchanged&nbsp;views&nbsp;on&nbsp;regional&nbsp;<wbr>security&nbsp;issues.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;on&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;December&nbsp;6&nbsp;radar&nbsp;incident&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;which&nbsp;a&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;<wbr>aircraft&nbsp;illuminated&nbsp;a&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;<wbr>with&nbsp;radar&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;December&nbsp;9&nbsp;<wbr>joint&nbsp;Chinese-Russian&nbsp;bomber&nbsp;<wbr>flight&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Eastern&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Pacific,&nbsp;and&nbsp;shared&nbsp;his&nbsp;grave&nbsp;<wbr>concerns.&nbsp;They&nbsp;reiterated&nbsp;<wbr>their&nbsp;strong&nbsp;opposition&nbsp;to&nbsp;any&nbsp;unilateral&nbsp;<wbr>attempts&nbsp;to&nbsp;change&nbsp;the&nbsp;status&nbsp;<wbr>quo&nbsp;by&nbsp;force&nbsp;or&nbsp;coercion&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;East&nbsp;and&nbsp;South&nbsp;China&nbsp;Seas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-171\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Defense of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/52144338b2575f24aef0e780b54502a642d8d3bb.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/52144338b2575f24aef0e780b54502a642d8d3bb.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0f3l6ubEhEtr55vT6ATZbG\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/<wbr>article\/2025\/12\/<wbr>52144338b2575f24aef0e780b54502<wbr>a642d8d3bb.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/18<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-172\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On December 17, bipartisan U.S. senators introduced a resolution expressing support for Japan&nbsp;and condemning China&#8217;s economic and military pressure following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae&nbsp;Takaichi&#8217;s remarks on a Taiwan contingency. The measure was led by Sen. Pete Ricketts,&nbsp;Republican chair, and Sen. Christopher Coons, Democratic ranking member, of the Senate Foreign&nbsp;Relations Committee&#8217;s East Asia Subcommittee. The resolution criticizes Beijing for &#8220;economic,&nbsp;military, and diplomatic coercion and aggression&#8221; against Japan while praising Tokyo&#8217;s &#8220;efforts to&nbsp;diffuse tensions&#8221; amid China&#8217;s &#8220;continuous unilateral provocation.&#8221;&nbsp;&nbsp;\n                                    <\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-173\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Jiji Press News&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/jen.jiji.com\/jc\/eng?g=eco&amp;k=2025121800844\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/jen.jiji.com\/jc\/eng?g%3Deco%26k%3D2025121800844&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3AORfB3q-nGeh0qpLlJP5D\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/jen.jiji.com\/jc\/eng?g=<wbr>eco&amp;k=2025121800844<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-174\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;19,&nbsp;Japan-New&nbsp;<wbr>Zealand&nbsp;defense&nbsp;minister&nbsp;<wbr>meeting&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;6&nbsp;radar&nbsp;incident&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>which&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;<wbr>aircraft&nbsp;illuminated&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;fighters&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;the&nbsp;December&nbsp;9&nbsp;joint&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese-Russian&nbsp;bomber&nbsp;flight,<wbr>&nbsp;sharing&nbsp;grave concerns.&nbsp;They&nbsp;concurred&nbsp;on&nbsp;<wbr>maintaining&nbsp;close&nbsp;<wbr>communication.&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>minister&nbsp;emphasized&nbsp;responding&nbsp;to&nbsp;such&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;actions&nbsp;in&nbsp;a&nbsp;calm&nbsp;yet&nbsp;<wbr>resolute&nbsp;manner.&nbsp;They&nbsp;also&nbsp;<wbr>agreed&nbsp;to&nbsp;further&nbsp;deepen&nbsp;bilateral&nbsp;<wbr>defense&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;toward&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Free&nbsp;and&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-175\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Defense of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/8d846cd9f20e845bed8ae7a4be3258679a426481.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/8d846cd9f20e845bed8ae7a4be3258679a426481.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0tndsXmZ1OQ6ishR_si2ta\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/<wbr>article\/2025\/12\/<wbr>8d846cd9f20e845bed8ae7a4be3258<wbr>679a426481.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-176\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On December 19, the Japan-New Zealand Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA)&nbsp;and the Japan-New Zealand Information Security Agreement were signed. After the signing,&nbsp;Japan\u2019s foreign minister and New Zealand\u2019s defence minister exchanged views on bilateral&nbsp;security cooperation, regional issues, and the importance of U.S. engagement in the Indo-Pacific,&nbsp;and concurred on further strengthening their security and defense partnership in promoting a&nbsp;\u201cFree and Open Indo-Pacific.\u201d&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-177\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01940.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01940.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218375000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1h_Ns6apSlTRCaToa6M4gx\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01940.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-178\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;18,&nbsp;the&nbsp;JMSDF&nbsp;<wbr>confirmed&nbsp;one&nbsp;Russian&nbsp;<wbr>Steregushchiy&nbsp;\u2162&nbsp;class&nbsp;frigate&nbsp;<wbr>(hull&nbsp;number&nbsp;337)&nbsp;sailing&nbsp;northeast&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>waters&nbsp;120km&nbsp;south&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>Yonagunijima&nbsp;Island&nbsp;(Okinawa&nbsp;<wbr>Prefecture).&nbsp;This&nbsp;vessel&nbsp;sailed&nbsp;northeast&nbsp;<wbr>through&nbsp;the&nbsp;waters&nbsp;including&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;contiguous&nbsp;zone&nbsp;between&nbsp;<wbr>Yonagunijima&nbsp;Island&nbsp;and&nbsp;Iriomotejima&nbsp;<wbr>Island&nbsp;(Okinawa&nbsp;Prefecture)&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;navigated&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;East&nbsp;<wbr>China&nbsp;Sea.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:center;text-align:-webkit-center\"><img width=\"300\" style=\"display:block;margin:0 auto;vertical-align:top;max-width:100%;height:auto;width:auto\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-179\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Japan Joint <span><\/span>Staff<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20251219_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20251219_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Q9-IIuiwa1DVLtiPUj1Bb\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20251219_01.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-180\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;19,&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>defense&nbsp;minister&nbsp;received&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>courtesy&nbsp;call&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;<wbr>foreign&nbsp;minister.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;two&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;<wbr>views&nbsp;on&nbsp;regional&nbsp;security.&nbsp;<wbr>Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;6&nbsp;radar&nbsp;incident&nbsp;involving&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;December&nbsp;9&nbsp;joint&nbsp;flight&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;Chinese-Russian&nbsp;bombers,&nbsp;expressing&nbsp;<wbr>grave&nbsp;concerns.&nbsp;The&nbsp;Thai&nbsp;<wbr>minister&nbsp;noted&nbsp;that&nbsp;a&nbsp;free,&nbsp;<wbr>open,&nbsp;and&nbsp;rules-based&nbsp;Indo-Pacific&nbsp;is&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>shared&nbsp;interest&nbsp;amid&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>increasingly&nbsp;severe&nbsp;security environment.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">They&nbsp;affirmed&nbsp;their&nbsp;<wbr>commitment&nbsp;to&nbsp;strengthen&nbsp;<wbr>defense&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>exchanges.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-181\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Defense of Japan&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/729a7006ff7b5553350b2e2101203c9fc7a27385.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/729a7006ff7b5553350b2e2101203c9fc7a27385.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1oG8GYJOf1qzt3NLzYCS5G\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/<wbr>article\/2025\/12\/<wbr>729a7006ff7b5553350b2e2101203c<wbr>9fc7a27385.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/19<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-182\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;18,&nbsp;at&nbsp;a&nbsp;UN&nbsp;<wbr>General&nbsp;Assembly&nbsp;meeting,&nbsp;<wbr>China\u2019s&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;<wbr>representative&nbsp;again&nbsp;condemned&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;Minister&nbsp;<wbr>Sanae&nbsp;Takaichi&#8217;s&nbsp;remarks&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwan&nbsp;contingency,&nbsp;saying&nbsp;<wbr>they&nbsp;\u201cchallenge&nbsp;and&nbsp;attempt&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>overturn&nbsp;the&nbsp;postwar&nbsp;<wbr>international&nbsp;order,&nbsp;creating&nbsp;<wbr>global&nbsp;instability,\u201d&nbsp;and&nbsp;calling&nbsp;for&nbsp;the&nbsp;immediate&nbsp;<wbr>cessation&nbsp;of&nbsp;\u201cprovocative&nbsp;<wbr>actions&nbsp;that&nbsp;cross&nbsp;a&nbsp;line\u201d&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;the&nbsp;\u201cretraction&nbsp;of&nbsp;incorrect&nbsp;<wbr>remarks.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Japan\u2019s&nbsp;permanent&nbsp;<wbr>representative&nbsp;countered,&nbsp;\u201cWe&nbsp;<wbr>regret&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>representative&#8217;s&nbsp;baseless&nbsp;remarks,\u201d&nbsp;reiterated&nbsp;that&nbsp;\u201c<wbr>Japan&#8217;s&nbsp;defense&nbsp;strategy&nbsp;is&nbsp;<wbr>exclusively&nbsp;defensive,\u201d&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>said&nbsp;that&nbsp;\u201cChina&#8217;s&nbsp;claim&nbsp;that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;can&nbsp;<wbr>exercise&nbsp;self-defense&nbsp;without&nbsp;<wbr>an&nbsp;armed&nbsp;attack&nbsp;is&nbsp;mistaken.\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-183\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Jiji Press News (Japanese)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jiji.com\/jc\/article?k=2025121900174&amp;g=int\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.jiji.com\/jc\/article?k%3D2025121900174%26g%3Dint&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Q4vmNfB9ZblsvV4HF-h26\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.jiji.com\/jc\/<wbr>article?k=2025121900174&amp;g=int<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/21<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-184\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Half&nbsp;a&nbsp;month&nbsp;after&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>fighter&nbsp;jets&nbsp;directed&nbsp;radar&nbsp;<wbr>at&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;aircraft,&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>China&nbsp;continue&nbsp;clashing&nbsp;over&nbsp;whether&nbsp;China&nbsp;<wbr>gave&nbsp;advance&nbsp;notice&nbsp;of&nbsp;its&nbsp;<wbr>training&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;dangers&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>radar&nbsp;use.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China&nbsp;insists&nbsp;JASDF&nbsp;jets&nbsp;<wbr>intruded&nbsp;into&nbsp;training&nbsp;zones&nbsp;<wbr>it&nbsp;had&nbsp;set&nbsp;up&nbsp;and&nbsp;claims&nbsp;it&nbsp;<wbr>notified&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;in&nbsp;advance&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;same-day&nbsp;<wbr>training,&nbsp;releasing&nbsp;audio&nbsp;<wbr>said&nbsp;to&nbsp;be&nbsp;from&nbsp;a&nbsp;radio&nbsp;<wbr>exchange&nbsp;between&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;SDF.&nbsp;<wbr>Japan&nbsp;views&nbsp;it&nbsp;as&nbsp;problematic&nbsp;<wbr>that&nbsp;China&nbsp;did&nbsp;not&nbsp;issue&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Notice&nbsp;to&nbsp;Airmen&nbsp;(NOTAM)&nbsp;or&nbsp;navigation&nbsp;<wbr>warning&nbsp;for&nbsp;vessels,&nbsp;<wbr>practices&nbsp;the&nbsp;SDF&nbsp;follows&nbsp;<wbr>before&nbsp;training.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">\u201cChina&nbsp;is&nbsp;trying&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;<wbr>Japan&nbsp;look&nbsp;wrong&nbsp;and&nbsp;set&nbsp;up&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>straw&nbsp;man,\u201d&nbsp;a&nbsp;senior&nbsp;SDF&nbsp;<wbr>official&nbsp;said.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The Japanese government sees the core problem in the dispute as the Chinese aircraft&nbsp;intermittently directing radar for about 30 minutes. China argues that using search radar during&nbsp;flight training is common. Radar is highly dangerous if used for fire control\u2014target acquisition in&nbsp;preparation for firing\u2014but China has not clarified if this was the case. Japan countered that&nbsp;fighter jets\u2019 radar can serve that purpose and said prolonged radar use is dangerous and could&nbsp;trigger a military clash. In 2013, amid strained Japan-China relations, a Chinese frigate pointed&nbsp;fire-control radar at a Japanese destroyer. In the current dispute, China is believed to be using&nbsp;old tactics of intimidation and provocation, and similar incidents could occur in the future.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-185\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Yomiuri Shimbun News&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/politics-government\/20251222-299776\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.jp\/politics\/politics-government\/20251222-299776\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2aYui7VPqq0oE3dvIvu5Bc\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/japannews.yomiuri.co.<wbr>jp\/politics\/politics-<wbr>government\/20251222-299776\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-186\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;21,&nbsp;the&nbsp;JMSDF&nbsp;<wbr>confirmed&nbsp;one&nbsp;Steregushchiy&nbsp;\u2162&nbsp;<wbr>class&nbsp;frigate&nbsp;(hull&nbsp;number&nbsp;<wbr>337)&nbsp;sailing&nbsp;northeast&nbsp;in&nbsp;waters&nbsp;<wbr>130km&nbsp;southwest&nbsp;of&nbsp;Tsushima&nbsp;<wbr>Island&nbsp;(Nagasaki&nbsp;Prefecture).&nbsp;<wbr>This&nbsp;vessel&nbsp;sailed&nbsp;northeast&nbsp;<wbr>through&nbsp;the&nbsp;Tsushima&nbsp;Strait&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;navigated&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;Sea&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>Japan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:center;text-align:-webkit-center\"><img width=\"300\" style=\"display:block;margin:0 auto;vertical-align:top;max-width:100%;height:auto;width:auto\" src=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYvnkMSpOIeAF08FOo6b2_o8aRGvUk_YzLfmy9ZEevyuYm26a9ZBaC7xj89hW536phuNes_4261hYMQmV7H40MMjhgGtoetowJLlkRvcPGq1sZXstQ4t_Uxsnu6WiWloFo08wg=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0005-c7de392d65e2.png\"><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-187\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Japan Joint <span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\"><\/span>Staff<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20251222_01.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/2025\/p20251222_01.pdf&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0Y7r_a2_P0DgAqLYVvMoJo\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/js\/pdf\/<wbr>2025\/p20251222_01.pdf<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-188\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;22,&nbsp;Japan-<wbr>Australia&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;ministers&#8217;&nbsp;<wbr>telephone&nbsp;meeting&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;two&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;<wbr>candid&nbsp;views&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;Indo-<wbr>Pacific&nbsp;situation&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>reaffirmed close&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;for&nbsp;regional&nbsp;<wbr>peace&nbsp;and&nbsp;stability.&nbsp;They&nbsp;<wbr>also&nbsp;agreed&nbsp;to&nbsp;promote&nbsp;multi-<wbr>layered&nbsp;cooperation with&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;and&nbsp;other&nbsp;like-<wbr>minded&nbsp;countries,&nbsp;including&nbsp;<wbr>frameworks&nbsp;such&nbsp;as&nbsp;Japan-U.S.-Australia&nbsp;and&nbsp;Japan-U.S.-<wbr>Australia-India&nbsp;(Quad),&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>realize&nbsp;a&nbsp;\u201cFree&nbsp;and&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Indo-<wbr>Pacific\u201d.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-189\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01952.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01952.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1KrrEucMx1inIR9--lEzIq\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01952.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/22<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-190\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;22,&nbsp;the&nbsp;Japan\u2013<wbr>Indonesia&nbsp;defense&nbsp;ministers\u2019&nbsp;<wbr>video&nbsp;teleconference&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.<wbr>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;two&nbsp;ministers&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;<wbr>views&nbsp;on&nbsp;regional&nbsp;security.&nbsp;<wbr>Japan\u2019s&nbsp;minister&nbsp;briefed&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;6&nbsp;radar&nbsp;incident&nbsp;involving&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;military&nbsp;aircraft&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;December&nbsp;9&nbsp;joint&nbsp;flight&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;Chinese-Russian&nbsp;bombers,&nbsp;expressing&nbsp;<wbr>grave&nbsp;concerns.&nbsp;Indonesia\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>minister&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;<wbr>understanding&nbsp;that&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;response&nbsp;is&nbsp;grounded&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;international&nbsp;norms.&nbsp;They&nbsp;<wbr>agreed&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;importance&nbsp;of&nbsp;enhancing&nbsp;communication&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>promoting&nbsp;peace&nbsp;and&nbsp;stability&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;the&nbsp;Indo-Pacific.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-191\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Defense of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/c435b41ee14e5ae55892ada87947fe5f1324affb.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/article\/2025\/12\/c435b41ee14e5ae55892ada87947fe5f1324affb.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3EGhefEO29_Q5AlifZV2kt\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mod.go.jp\/en\/<wbr>article\/2025\/12\/<wbr>c435b41ee14e5ae55892ada87947fe<wbr>5f1324affb.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/23<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-192\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On December 19, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members filed a resolution condemning&nbsp;China&#8217;s &#8220;coercive actions&#8221; against Japan following the Japanese prime minister&#8217;s remarks on a&nbsp;Taiwan contingency. The resolution reaffirms the United States&#8217; &#8220;ironclad commitment&#8221; to its&nbsp;security alliance with Japan and supports Japan&#8217;s sovereign right &#8220;to express views on regional&nbsp;and international matters without fear of economic or military coercion.&#8221; California lawmakers&nbsp;Republican Young Kim and Democrat Ami Bera, members of the House Foreign Affairs&nbsp;Committee, urged President Trump to &#8220;work with allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific to&nbsp;counter coercive economic and diplomatic practices.&#8221;&nbsp;\n                                    <\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-193\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Kyodo News<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/articles\/-\/67336\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/articles\/-\/67336&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218376000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3HFiDlgvAgIAASuB6iicU9\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/english.kyodonews.net\/<wbr>articles\/-\/67336<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/23<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-194\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;23,&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>foreign&nbsp;minister&nbsp;received&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>courtesy&nbsp;call&nbsp;from&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>president&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;International&nbsp;Court&nbsp;of&nbsp;<wbr>Justice&nbsp;(ICJ).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;foreign&nbsp;minister&nbsp;conveyed&nbsp;<wbr>that&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;attaches&nbsp;great&nbsp;<wbr>importance&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;ICJ\u2019s&nbsp;role&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;strengthening&nbsp;the&nbsp;rule&nbsp;of&nbsp;law&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;the&nbsp;international&nbsp;<wbr>community&nbsp;and&nbsp;will&nbsp;continue&nbsp;<wbr>to&nbsp;strongly&nbsp;support&nbsp;it.&nbsp;In&nbsp;response,&nbsp;the&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;<wbr>President&nbsp;expressed&nbsp;<wbr>appreciation&nbsp;for&nbsp;Japan\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>commitment&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;rule&nbsp;of&nbsp;law&nbsp;and&nbsp;its&nbsp;contribution&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;Court\u2019s&nbsp;activities.&nbsp;They&nbsp;<wbr>also&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;views&nbsp;on&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>situation&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;the&nbsp;ICJ&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>confirmed&nbsp;continued&nbsp;<wbr>coordination&nbsp;and&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;<wbr>to&nbsp;uphold&nbsp;and&nbsp;strengthen&nbsp;the&nbsp;rule&nbsp;of&nbsp;law&nbsp;<wbr>internationally.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-195\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01955.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01955.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw02sWB5JV8xPXZSFYSHr4wY\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01955.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/23<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-196\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Department&nbsp;of&nbsp;Defense&nbsp;(War)&nbsp;<wbr>released&nbsp;the&nbsp;annual&nbsp;report&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;congress:&nbsp;Military&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>Security&nbsp;Developments&nbsp;involving&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>People\u2019s&nbsp;Republic&nbsp;of&nbsp;China&nbsp;(<wbr>China&nbsp;Military&nbsp;Power)&nbsp;on&nbsp;23&nbsp;December&nbsp;2025.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;report&nbsp;argued&nbsp;that&nbsp;\u201cChina\u2019<wbr>s&nbsp;historic&nbsp;military&nbsp;buildup&nbsp;<wbr>has&nbsp;made&nbsp;the&nbsp;U.S.&nbsp;homeland&nbsp;increasingly&nbsp;vulnerable,\u201d&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>\u201cthe&nbsp;PLA&nbsp;continues&nbsp;to&nbsp;make&nbsp;<wbr>steady&nbsp;progress&nbsp;toward&nbsp;its&nbsp;2027&nbsp;goals,&nbsp;whereby&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>PLA&nbsp;must&nbsp;be&nbsp;able&nbsp;to&nbsp;achieve &#8216;strategic&nbsp;decisive&nbsp;victory&#8217;&nbsp;over&nbsp;Taiwan.\u201d<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;report&nbsp;notes&nbsp;that&nbsp;China&nbsp;<wbr>is&nbsp;not&nbsp;only&nbsp;enhancing&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>combat&nbsp;capabilities&nbsp;of&nbsp;its&nbsp;<wbr>Forces&nbsp;but&nbsp;also&nbsp;accelerating&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>development&nbsp;of&nbsp;various&nbsp;<wbr>technologies&nbsp;including&nbsp;cyber&nbsp;warfare&nbsp;capabilities,&nbsp;<wbr>military&nbsp;AI,&nbsp;biotechnology&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;hypersonic&nbsp;missiles.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Specifically,&nbsp;this&nbsp;includes&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;development&nbsp;of&nbsp;quantum&nbsp;<wbr>cryptography&nbsp;technology&nbsp;and&nbsp;the&nbsp;utilization&nbsp;of&nbsp;large&nbsp;<wbr>language&nbsp;models&nbsp;(LLMs).&nbsp;The&nbsp;<wbr>report&nbsp;also&nbsp;pointed&nbsp;out&nbsp;that PLA&nbsp;fielded&nbsp;its&nbsp;<wbr>intercontinental&nbsp;Anti-Ship&nbsp;<wbr>Ballistic&nbsp;Missiles&nbsp;(ASBM)&nbsp;and&nbsp;assessed&nbsp;its&nbsp;range&nbsp;covers&nbsp;<wbr>much&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;Pacific&nbsp;Ocean,&nbsp;up&nbsp;to&nbsp;the&nbsp;West&nbsp;Coast&nbsp;of&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>United&nbsp;States.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-197\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Department of Defense<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/media.defense.gov\/2024\/Dec\/18\/2003615520\/-1\/-1\/0\/MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA-2024.PDF\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/media.defense.gov\/2024\/Dec\/18\/2003615520\/-1\/-1\/0\/MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA-2024.PDF&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0KgDhW9vP_V5eyx9tMl5eO\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/media.defense.gov\/<wbr>2024\/Dec\/18\/2003615520\/-1\/-1\/<wbr>0\/MILITARY-AND-SECURITY-<wbr>DEVELOPMENTS-INVOLVING-THE-<wbr>PEOPLES-REPUBLIC-OF-CHINA-<wbr>2024.PDF<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-198\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Nikkei Asia<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/spotlight\/trump-administration\/china-sees-quantum-tech-as-key-to-future-warfare-pentagon\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/spotlight\/trump-administration\/china-sees-quantum-tech-as-key-to-future-warfare-pentagon&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3fqiEV8dHP3unQURAOeXPA\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/asia.nikkei.com\/<wbr>spotlight\/trump-<wbr>administration\/china-sees-<wbr>quantum-tech-as-key-to-future-<wbr>warfare-pentagon<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-199\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">U.S.&nbsp;Naval Institute<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2025\/12\/26\/chinese-forces-fielding-intercontinental-anti-ship-ballistic-missiles-capable-of-reaching-u-s-west-coast-pentagon-says\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2025\/12\/26\/chinese-forces-fielding-intercontinental-anti-ship-ballistic-missiles-capable-of-reaching-u-s-west-coast-pentagon-says&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0hxAb_Xb1kZFYx6XxYSnC-\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/news.usni.org\/2025\/12\/<wbr>26\/chinese-forces-fielding-<wbr>intercontinental-anti-ship-<wbr>ballistic-missiles-capable-of-<wbr>reaching-u-s-west-coast-<wbr>pentagon-says\u3000<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/24<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-200\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On December 24, following reports that the South Korean military conducted military exercises&nbsp;concerning Takeshima on December 23, the Japanese Foreign Ministry Director-General lodged a&nbsp;strong protest to the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Japan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">In addition, the Deputy Chief of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Korea lodged&nbsp;a strong protest to the Korean Foreign Ministry Director-General, based on Japan\u2019s consistent&nbsp;position on Takeshima.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-201\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (Japanese)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/press\/release\/pressit_000001_03167.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/press\/release\/pressit_000001_03167.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3bLRjR4f_ykKNHcx6A05NR\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/mofaj\/<wbr>press\/release\/pressit_000001_<wbr>03167.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/24<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-202\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">In&nbsp;June,&nbsp;a&nbsp;Taiwanese&nbsp;court&nbsp;<wbr>sentenced&nbsp;the&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;captain&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;a&nbsp;Togo-registered&nbsp;ship&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>three&nbsp;years in&nbsp;jail&nbsp;for&nbsp;intentionally&nbsp;<wbr>damaging&nbsp;undersea&nbsp;cables&nbsp;off&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwan&nbsp;in&nbsp;February.&nbsp;On&nbsp;<wbr>December&nbsp;24,&nbsp;the&nbsp;public&nbsp;security&nbsp;bureau&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>Weihai,&nbsp;eastern&nbsp;China\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>Shandong&nbsp;province,&nbsp;said&nbsp;two&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwanese&nbsp;men&nbsp;led&nbsp;a&nbsp;frozen&nbsp;goods&nbsp;<wbr>smuggling&nbsp;operation&nbsp;involving&nbsp;<wbr>a&nbsp;Chinese-crewed&nbsp;vessel&nbsp;that&nbsp;<wbr>damaged&nbsp;subsea&nbsp;cables&nbsp;earlier&nbsp;this&nbsp;<wbr>year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China&nbsp;previously&nbsp;accused&nbsp;<wbr>Taiwan&nbsp;of&nbsp;\u201cmanipulating\u201d&nbsp;<wbr>allegations&nbsp;of&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>involvement&nbsp;in&nbsp;the&nbsp;case,&nbsp;saying&nbsp;it&nbsp;made&nbsp;claims&nbsp;<wbr>before&nbsp;the&nbsp;facts&nbsp;were&nbsp;clear.&nbsp;<wbr>China\u2019s&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;Affairs&nbsp;Office&nbsp;<wbr>said&nbsp;Taipei&nbsp;had&nbsp;ignored&nbsp;the&nbsp;facts&nbsp;and&nbsp;\u201c<wbr>maliciously&nbsp;hyped&nbsp;up\u201d&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>situation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">Taiwan\u2019s&nbsp;Mainland&nbsp;Affairs&nbsp;<wbr>Council&nbsp;urged&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>authorities&nbsp;to&nbsp;provide&nbsp;<wbr>concrete&nbsp;evidence,&nbsp;saying&nbsp;that&nbsp;publicly&nbsp;naming&nbsp;<wbr>individuals&nbsp;and&nbsp;offering&nbsp;<wbr>rewards&nbsp;without&nbsp;such&nbsp;evidence&nbsp;<wbr>was&nbsp;\u201cnot&nbsp;a&nbsp;civilized&nbsp;practice\u201d&nbsp;and&nbsp;amounted&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>cross-border&nbsp;repression&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>political&nbsp;manipulation.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-203\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Reuters<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/china-probe-finds-taiwanese-smugglers-controlled-vessel-that-damaged-subsea-2025-12-24\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/china\/china-probe-finds-taiwanese-smugglers-controlled-vessel-that-damaged-subsea-2025-12-24\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw30ObL7kcRiD_s5BLhhcQOZ\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.reuters.com\/world\/<wbr>china\/china-probe-finds-<wbr>taiwanese-smugglers-<wbr>controlled-vessel-that-<wbr>damaged-subsea-2025-12-24\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-204\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;25,&nbsp;Japan-<wbr>Cambodia&nbsp;Senior&nbsp;Officials\u2019&nbsp;<wbr>Talks&nbsp;was&nbsp;held.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">During&nbsp;the&nbsp;consultation,&nbsp;both&nbsp;<wbr>sides&nbsp;discussed&nbsp;a&nbsp;wide&nbsp;range&nbsp;<wbr>of&nbsp;bilateral&nbsp;relations&nbsp;<wbr>including&nbsp;security&nbsp;and&nbsp;defense&nbsp;cooperation,&nbsp;with&nbsp;<wbr>a&nbsp;view&nbsp;toward&nbsp;realizing&nbsp;a&nbsp;<wbr>Free&nbsp;and&nbsp;Open&nbsp;Indo-Pacific&nbsp;(<wbr>FOIP).&nbsp;They&nbsp;exchanged&nbsp;views&nbsp;on&nbsp;regional&nbsp;<wbr>and&nbsp;international&nbsp;affairs&nbsp;<wbr>including&nbsp;the&nbsp;Indo-Pacific&nbsp;<wbr>region&nbsp;and&nbsp;confirmed their&nbsp;commitment&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>strengthen&nbsp;cooperation&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>regional&nbsp;and&nbsp;international&nbsp;<wbr>fora.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-205\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01968.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/release\/pressite_000001_01968.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2K8l-rrkYswz3f5VWYAXH_\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.mofa.go.jp\/press\/<wbr>release\/pressite_000001_01968.<wbr>html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-206\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;25,&nbsp;industry&nbsp;<wbr>sources&nbsp;reported&nbsp;that&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>authorities&nbsp;had&nbsp;instructed&nbsp;<wbr>major&nbsp;domestic&nbsp;travel&nbsp;agencies&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>reduce&nbsp;visa&nbsp;applications&nbsp;for&nbsp;<wbr>Japan&nbsp;and&nbsp;cut&nbsp;visitor&nbsp;numbers&nbsp;<wbr>to&nbsp;60%&nbsp;of&nbsp;previous&nbsp;levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">According&nbsp;to&nbsp;sources&nbsp;in&nbsp;China\u2019<wbr>s&nbsp;travel&nbsp;industry,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>instructions&nbsp;were&nbsp;issued&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>late&nbsp;November,&nbsp;following&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;<wbr>Minister&nbsp;Sanae&nbsp;Takaichi\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>remarks&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;<wbr>contingency.&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;authorities&nbsp;cited&nbsp;<wbr>deteriorating&nbsp;public&nbsp;safety&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;reason,&nbsp;<wbr>initially&nbsp;implementing&nbsp;the&nbsp;measures&nbsp;through&nbsp;December,&nbsp;<wbr>but&nbsp;later&nbsp;extending&nbsp;them&nbsp;<wbr>until&nbsp;March&nbsp;of&nbsp;next&nbsp;year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;visa&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;are&nbsp;<wbr>seen&nbsp;as&nbsp;targeting&nbsp;not&nbsp;only&nbsp;<wbr>group&nbsp;tourists&nbsp;but&nbsp;also&nbsp;<wbr>individual&nbsp;travelers,&nbsp;who&nbsp;account&nbsp;for&nbsp;80\u201390%&nbsp;of&nbsp;all&nbsp;<wbr>visitors.&nbsp;In&nbsp;addition,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;government&nbsp;has&nbsp;called&nbsp;<wbr>on&nbsp;its&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;to&nbsp;refrain&nbsp;from&nbsp;<wbr>traveling&nbsp;to&nbsp;Japan,&nbsp;<wbr>apparently&nbsp;aiming&nbsp;to&nbsp;hurt&nbsp;<wbr>Japan\u2019s&nbsp;tourism&nbsp;industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-207\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Kyodo News (Japanese)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/13647441.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/13647441.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218377000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2p0ZIgEZh0_Si-t9Xkv3Zb\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/<wbr>13647441.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-208\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">On&nbsp;December&nbsp;25,&nbsp;industry&nbsp;<wbr>sources&nbsp;reported&nbsp;that&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;<wbr>authorities&nbsp;had&nbsp;instructed&nbsp;<wbr>major&nbsp;domestic&nbsp;travel&nbsp;agencies&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>reduce&nbsp;visa&nbsp;applications&nbsp;for&nbsp;<wbr>Japan&nbsp;and&nbsp;cut&nbsp;visitor&nbsp;numbers&nbsp;<wbr>to&nbsp;60%&nbsp;of&nbsp;previous&nbsp;levels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp; &nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">According&nbsp;to&nbsp;sources&nbsp;in&nbsp;China\u2019<wbr>s&nbsp;travel&nbsp;industry,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>instructions&nbsp;were&nbsp;issued&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>late&nbsp;November,&nbsp;following&nbsp;Japanese&nbsp;Prime&nbsp;<wbr>Minister&nbsp;Sanae&nbsp;Takaichi\u2019s&nbsp;<wbr>remarks&nbsp;on&nbsp;a&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;<wbr>contingency.&nbsp;Chinese&nbsp;authorities&nbsp;cited&nbsp;<wbr>deteriorating&nbsp;public&nbsp;safety&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;Japan&nbsp;as&nbsp;the&nbsp;reason,&nbsp;<wbr>initially&nbsp;implementing&nbsp;the&nbsp;measures&nbsp;through&nbsp;December,&nbsp;<wbr>but&nbsp;later&nbsp;extending&nbsp;them&nbsp;<wbr>until&nbsp;March&nbsp;of&nbsp;next&nbsp;year.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;visa&nbsp;restrictions&nbsp;are&nbsp;<wbr>seen&nbsp;as&nbsp;targeting&nbsp;not&nbsp;only&nbsp;<wbr>group&nbsp;tourists&nbsp;but&nbsp;also&nbsp;<wbr>individual&nbsp;travelers,&nbsp;who&nbsp;account&nbsp;for&nbsp;80\u201390%&nbsp;of&nbsp;all&nbsp;<wbr>visitors.&nbsp;In&nbsp;addition,&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Chinese&nbsp;government&nbsp;has&nbsp;called&nbsp;<wbr>on&nbsp;its&nbsp;citizens&nbsp;to&nbsp;refrain&nbsp;from&nbsp;<wbr>traveling&nbsp;to&nbsp;Japan,&nbsp;<wbr>apparently&nbsp;aiming&nbsp;to&nbsp;hurt&nbsp;<wbr>Japan\u2019s&nbsp;tourism&nbsp;industry.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-209\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">Kyodo News (Japanese)<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/13647441.html\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/13647441.html&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218378000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0JtP27vm_GL22fjGUAtzp5\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www.47news.jp\/<wbr>13647441.html<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td valign=\"top\" style=\"border-top: solid white 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-bottom: none; border-right: solid white 1.0pt; background: #a5e9ff; padding: 3.75pt 13.5pt 3.75pt 13.5pt;\">\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\"><span lang=\"EN-US\" style=\"color: #202020;\">12\/25<\/span><\/p>\n<\/td>\n<td style=\"border: none; border-top: solid white 1.0pt; background: #eeeeee; padding: 3.75pt;\">\n<div>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-210\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">China&nbsp;suddenly&nbsp;announced&nbsp;<wbr>large&nbsp;military&nbsp;exercise&nbsp;<wbr>around&nbsp;Taiwan&nbsp;on&nbsp;29&nbsp;December.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;PLA&nbsp;Eastern&nbsp;Theater&nbsp;<wbr>Command&nbsp;announced&nbsp;that&nbsp;it&nbsp;<wbr>will&nbsp;conduct&nbsp;military&nbsp;<wbr>exercises&nbsp;starting&nbsp;on&nbsp;29&nbsp;December&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>dispatch&nbsp;their&nbsp;troops&nbsp;to&nbsp;<wbr>areas&nbsp;surrounding&nbsp;Taiwan.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;exercises&nbsp;involve&nbsp;the&nbsp;<wbr>Army,&nbsp;Navy,&nbsp;Air&nbsp;Force,&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>Rocket&nbsp;Force.&nbsp;<br \/>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;exercises&nbsp;are&nbsp;code-named&nbsp;\u201c<wbr>Justice&nbsp;Mission&nbsp;2025\u201d&nbsp;and&nbsp;<wbr>these&nbsp;exercises&nbsp;include&nbsp;live-fire&nbsp;exercises&nbsp;<wbr>in&nbsp;the&nbsp;waters&nbsp;and&nbsp;airspace&nbsp;<wbr>around&nbsp;Taiwan,&nbsp;with&nbsp;the&nbsp;areas&nbsp;expanded&nbsp;from&nbsp;<wbr>the&nbsp;previous&nbsp;exercises&nbsp;in&nbsp;<wbr>April.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">The&nbsp;theater&nbsp;command&nbsp;<wbr>spokesperson&nbsp;said&nbsp;the&nbsp;drills&nbsp;<wbr>serve&nbsp;as&nbsp;a&nbsp;&#8220;serious&nbsp;warning&nbsp;to&nbsp;&#8216;Taiwan&nbsp;<wbr>Independence&#8217;&nbsp;separatist&nbsp;<wbr>forces and&nbsp;external&nbsp;interference&nbsp;<wbr>forces.&#8221;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin:0px\">&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-211\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">NHK World<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251229_09\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251229_09\/&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218378000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2UtSnRjRMKLj2jZsLu7_Rw\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/www3.nhk.or.jp\/<wbr>nhkworld\/en\/news\/20251229_09\/<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div id=\"m_-6415586969989283554m_-6908295173612238814fc-id-212\" style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-all;color:rgb(0,0,0);font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\">\n<p style=\"margin:0px\"><b><span style=\"color:rgb(35,34,228)\">CNN<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<table valign=\"top\" width=\"100%\" border=\"0\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" style=\"width:100%!important;width:100%;table-layout:fixed\">\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td width=\"*\" height=\"*\">\n<div style=\"text-align:left;word-break:break-word;font-family:&quot;Meiryo UI&quot;,Meiryo,&quot;MS PGothic&quot;,Verdana,Tahoma,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:12px;line-height:1.8;width:100%\"><a style=\"color:rgb(51,122,183)\" href=\"https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2025\/12\/28\/china\/china-taiwan-military-drills-hnk-intl\" target=\"_blank\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?hl=ja&amp;q=https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2025\/12\/28\/china\/china-taiwan-military-drills-hnk-intl&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1767942218378000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3okeCUdcrQlneudM0JH6U-\" rel=\"noopener\"><span><span>https:\/\/edition.cnn.com\/2025\/<wbr>12\/28\/china\/china-taiwan-<wbr>military-drills-hnk-intl<\/span><\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p>    <\/center>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h3>Newsletter Registration<\/h3>\n<p>What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, \u201cEast Asian Maritime Security (EAMS)\u201d and updates the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory.<\/p>\n<div class=\"u-mbs is-top mw-400\"><a class=\"c-button\" href=\"https:\/\/forms.gle\/CiMT6bWdHrryT8mM6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span>Registration Form<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Vol.36. December 29. 2025 \u00a0 What is happening in East Asian Maritime Security? The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) publishes the biweekly newsletter, the information on maritime security relevant to East Asia and Japan&#8217;s territory. Monthly Column \u00a0 Ensuring Strategic Deterrence in the First-Island- Chain: A Japanese-ed First Island Chain Minilateral? Renato Cruz De Castro Distinguished Professor, De La Salle University, Manila \u00a0 \u00a0 The Trump Administration\u2019s recently released November 2025 National Security Strategy of the United States &hellip; <span>More<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"parent":2309,"menu_order":8,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":[],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v17.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-01-08T09:50:21+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"42 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/\",\"name\":\"RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -\",\"description\":\"The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#primaryimage\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/\",\"name\":\"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2025-12-29T09:48:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-01-08T09:50:21+00:00\",\"description\":\"\\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \\u300d\\u306b\\u3064\\u3044\\u3066\\u3054\\u7d39\\u4ecb\\u3044\\u305f\\u3057\\u307e\\u3059\\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"HOME\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"East Asian Maritime Security\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025\"}]}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -","description":"\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -","og_description":"\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/","og_site_name":"RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -","article_modified_time":"2026-01-08T09:50:21+00:00","og_image":[{"url":"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png"}],"twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Est. reading time":"42 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/","name":"RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -","description":"The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#primaryimage","inLanguage":"en-US","url":"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/ci3.googleusercontent.com\/meips\/ADKq_NYMO8GcPbWR2w_-iw6BQldLjREqUkWbJ4haenm5SwKOWt2xbXJjyHuZipgYMgEWiTRVbxzLF1lqRXb_83gIEk7CBdo7Ky2_N-hCCO3gKpApDOnhvIfarJI30G5Wpc6seJ6Q6nY=s0-d-e1-ft#https:\/\/gy53-cdn.asp.cuenote.jp\/0000013c\/202512\/00030242\/0004-897428aca5d8.png"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/","name":"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025 - RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security -","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2025-12-29T09:48:37+00:00","dateModified":"2026-01-08T09:50:21+00:00","description":"\u300cVol. 36 December 29, 2025 \u300d\u306b\u3064\u3044\u3066\u3054\u7d39\u4ecb\u3044\u305f\u3057\u307e\u3059\u3002- RIPS - Research Institute for Peace and Security - The Research Institute for Peace and Security (RIPS) is Japan\u2019s first nonprofit, private think tank. It was established in October 1978 and has a research history of more than 45 years.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/vol-36-december-29-2025\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"HOME","item":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"East Asian Maritime Security","item":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/newsletter\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Vol. 36 December 29, 2025"}]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2900"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2900"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2900\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2901,"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2900\/revisions\/2901"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rips.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2900"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}