April 21 (Asia Today) -- China is intensifying a targeted pressure campaign against Japan as tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea, with signs of potential physical confrontation emerging beyond diplomatic disputes.
Analysts say Beijing is adopting a more focused strategy aimed at Japan rather than the United States, while Tokyo is expanding its military posture under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration, raising the risk of direct confrontation between the two regional powers.
Tensions escalated Friday when the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force destroyer Ikazuchi transited the Taiwan Strait, officially en route to participate in the Balikatan 2026 joint exercises in the Philippines.
China responded unusually forcefully. The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army deployed J-20 stealth fighters and CH-4 attack drones to closely track the vessel and released the footage through state broadcaster China Central Television.
Military sources cited by Chinese state-linked platforms said Beijing is shifting from diplomatic protests against U.S. naval passages to demonstrating real-time "targeting within strike range" against Japanese vessels, signaling a more direct military warning.
