China-Japan Rivalry Enters a Higher-Risk Phase as Taiwan, Missiles, and Nuclear Signaling Converge
The source argues that China and Japan are moving from a managed rivalry into a more militarized competition driven by Taiwan contingency planning, Japan’s expanding strike and export policies, and heightened historical and symbolic sensitivities. It warns that mutual worst-case interpretations—rather than deliberate intent—are increasing the likelihood of rapid crisis escalation with wider regional economic-security spillovers.