Mounting Chinese Anxiety Over Japan’s Asia-Pacific Security Push

[1/3]Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese sign a joint declaration on Economic Security Cooperation, at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, May 4, 2026. REUTERS/Hollie Adams

Japan is stepping up its security diplomacy across Asia with new deals signed this week with Australia and Indonesia, prompting growing concern in Beijing that Tokyo is now seeking to replace the U.S. as the architect of a new Asia-Pacific security order.

In Australia, where Takaichi wrapped up a three-day trip to Canberra after visiting Vietnam, the Japanese Prime Minister signed agreements with her counterpart, Anthony Albanese, to strengthen defense, energy, food, and critical minerals supply chains.

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by Eric Olander

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