North Korea Slams Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper

North Korea has sharply criticized Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper, accusing Tokyo of using concerns over Pyongyang’s military activities to justify an expanding arms buildup and a more assertive defense posture.

In a commentary published by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), a North Korean analyst described Japan’s latest defense white paper as being driven by a “reinvasion-minded” agenda aimed at legitimizing the operation of its military capabilities.

The commentary claimed that Tokyo “groundlessly described” North Korea as its greatest strategic challenge, arguing that the assessment was intended to provide justification for what Pyongyang called Japan’s “reckless arms buildup.”

North Korea has stepped up its criticism of Japan’s defense and security policies in recent weeks. Pyongyang has issued statements targeting Tokyo’s military moves at least seven times since July, highlighting growing tensions between the two countries.

The latest criticism follows a warning from Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. Last week, Kim said Pyongyang could adopt “additional military options” in response to what she characterized as Japan’s transformation into a military power.

Her warning came after Japan test-fired a U.S.-made Tomahawk cruise missile, a weapon that could strengthen Tokyo’s long-range strike capabilities as it continues to modernize its defense forces.

A day after Kim’s statement, North Korea launched a short-range ballistic missile toward the sea between the Korean Peninsula and Japan. Some analysts interpreted the missile test as a possible warning to Tokyo amid escalating rhetoric over Japan’s military expansion.

The exchange underscores mounting security tensions in Northeast Asia as Japan strengthens its defense capabilities while North Korea continues developing and testing ballistic missiles.

Pyongyang has repeatedly condemned Japan’s expanding military role, while Tokyo has cited North Korea’s nuclear weapons and missile programs among the major security threats shaping its defense strategy. The latest dispute over Japan’s 2026 Defense White Paper signals that military developments on both sides are likely to remain a significant source of regional friction.