Japan warns Russia's war could encourage Xi Jinping to act against Taiwan

Japan, in its annual defense white paper on Friday, warned of escalating security threats stemming from the Russian-Ukrainian war, Chinese intimidation of Taiwan and other vulnerable technology supply chains.

What happened: Defense Ministry report listed Japanese government's security concerns as it prepares defense budget request due next month next.

Japan's ruling party aims to double military funding over the next decade, according to Reuters.

"The political, economic and military rivalries between nations are clear, and the challenge to the international order is a global problem," the white paper states.

See also: India elects tribal woman to be its youngest president: PM Modi says 'beam of hope' for citizens < /p>

The report describes the Kremlin attack on Kyiv as a "serious violation of international law". He also raised concerns that Vladimir Putin's use of force to resolve a dispute with Ukraine also threatens the security of its neighbor Taiwan, over which China claims sovereignty.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's government has approved the white paper that identifies China, Russia and North Korea as its top security concerns.

Last month, Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi described the country as being on the front line surrounded by nuclear-armed actors.

Find out more Benzinga coverage in Europe and Asia innext < em class="core-block">this link.

© 2022 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved.