Japan's 2024 defense white paper will emphasize North Korea's sustained focus on achieving qualitative improvements in its nuclear and missile capabilities, according to an early draft of the upcoming annual report.
While maintaining its view that the military balance between China and Taiwan is rapidly tilting in favor of Beijing's side, the Defense Ministry will note that Taiwan is strengthening its own defenses following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to the draft obtained by Jiji on Wednesday.
Last year, North Korea fired its new Hwasong-18 solid-fuel intercontinental ballistic missiles. It has also launched a military reconnaissance satellite.