Japan Releases Annual Defense Report; China Predictably Angered

For Dignified Rant. The 2011 Japanese report was released on August 2, and it stated, among other things:

Japan's annual defence report had warned that China's naval forces were stepping up their activities in the East and South China Seas, and the Pacific. 

Japan was taking measures to bolster its coastal defences as a result of China's growing presence, it said. 

The report also warned of the danger of cyber attacks and said North Korea's nuclear and missile projects posed serious threats to national security. 

"Given the modernisation of China's naval and air forces in recent years, its sphere of influence is likely to grow beyond its neighbouring waters," it said. 

"China plans to expand its sphere of maritime activities, carrying out operations and training as an ordinary routine practice in waters surrounding Japan." 

Areas for potential conflict with China's navy included the "East China Sea and the Pacific Ocean, as well as the South China Sea", it added.