Page 199 - Trilateral Korea Japan U.S. Cooperation

Introduction

The security environment in Northeast Asia is becoming
increasingly challenging for Japan as well as the United States
and its allies. Japanese security authorities and communities
have been highly concerned about the adverse impact that
China’s growing missile and nuclear capabilities, as well as
those of North Korea, would have on the military balance.

Above all, the increase in military power by China and North
Korea, coupled with the buildup and diversification of nuclear
capabilities and entanglements across domains, including new
domains such as cyber and space and cognitive domains such
as disinformation operations, have created a complex hybrid
strategic environment. With the buildup of nuclear forces, the
risk of changing the status quo through hybrid warfare, in the
presence and under the shadow of nuclear weapons is higher
than ever.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further heightened the sense
of crisis, especially regarding a possible Taiwan contingency.
Japan’s National Security Strategy of 2022 states that Russia’s
aggression against Ukraine has breached the very foundation
of the rules that shape the international order. The possibility
cannot be precluded that a similar serious situation may
arise in the future in the Indo-Pacific region, especially in
Northeast Asia.

Chapter Twelve : Trilateral Cooperation is Essential to Deter Pyongyang and Dissuade Beijing 199