China’s Anti-Access & Area-Denial operational concept and the dilemmas for Japan

Abstract

The People's Republic of China is developing a sophisticated Anti-Access/Area-Denial operational concept utilising a variety of defensive military capabilities, entwined with offensive components. The United States, Japan and other Asia-Pacific countries remain sceptical about China's defensive rationale for developing this operational concept because it threatens to undermine Asia-Pacific security. Specifically, the threat posed by China's military modernisation to the security of Japan may force the Japanese Government to adopt a more self-reliant defence posture. However, there are a variety of factors that complicate Japan's perception of China and restrict the number of feasible response options open to the Japanese Government. As such, this sub-thesis will examine the nature of China's Anti-Access/Area-Denial operational concept in addition to the factors complicating Japan's response and finally the ways that Japan may respond to the rising power of China.