Regional military buildup: Taiwan defense budget hike and Japan threat label

Taiwan's 2027 defence spending will rise 16% to over T$1 trillion, exceeding 3% GDP, signaling serious military buildup amid China's pressure and US calls. The budget includes coast guard and special projects, hinting at gray-zone preparation. Taiwan's annual Wan An war games are underway with Fox News embed, adding real-time tension. Japan's defense white paper now explicitly labels China as the 'greatest future threat', a formal shift from diplomatic signaling to operational doctrine driving military buildup. The report cites salami-slicing tactics in East China Sea, including a new structure near the median line, showing Beijing's incremental erosion of sovereignty.