North Korea to expand military due to Japan's armament

North Korea intends to create "additional military options" in response to what it perceives as a threatening military buildup by Japan. The state-run news agency KCNA reported that leader Kim Jong Un views Japan as heading toward becoming a "war state."

Kim Yo Jong, an influential figure in the North Korean government and sister to Kim Jong Un, declared that North Korea "will never be a passive spectator of Japan's military development, which could pose a serious threat." This statement signals Pyongyang's intent to counter Japan's perceived militarization.

Meanwhile, Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi highlighted the need to bolster the nation's defense capabilities. He cited the increasing military activities of North Korea, China, and Russia as urgent reasons for restructuring and strengthening Japan's armed forces, emphasizing a heightened sense of crisis.