In an extensive report, the PLA Daily stated that Japan possesses astonishing stockpiles of nuclear materials and the technology necessary for producing nuclear weapons. According to the newspaper, by the end of 2024, 44.4 tons of plutonium had already been separated, which would be sufficient to manufacture about 5,500 nuclear warheads.
The report warns that after completely deviating from the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," under which Japan does not possess, produce, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons, the country "could become a de facto nuclear-armed state in an extremely short period."
PLA Daily claims that Japan has "systematically" developed its defense industry "under the guise of civilian technology," thereby allegedly laying the foundation for a "strategic shift in defense policy and unleashing its military-industrial potential."
"Tokyo has allocated a record 17.5 billion yen (109.6 million U.S. dollars) for its advanced technology research program in 2025, aiming to redirect civilian technologies for military use," the report states. "In 2024, Japan's Ministry of Defense also established the Defence Innovation Science and Technology Institute, modeled after DARPA, to encourage more civilian companies to enter military research and development," reported the Chinese military newspaper.
Relations between China and Japan rapidly deteriorated after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in November that Tokyo might militarily intervene if Beijing attacked Taiwan.
This statement reportedly infuriated China, which restricted diplomatic contacts and civilian exchanges, while Japan simultaneously deployed advanced weaponry capable of reaching Chinese territory.