The Day China Increased Information Warfare Against Japan

Japanese media on December 13 increasingly focused on China's ongoing information warfare against Japan. Early evening reports highlighted a joint flight of Chinese and Russian bombers towards Tokyo, taking an "unusual route" and capable of carrying nuclear weapons, interpreted as a coordinated intimidation tactic. This was followed by a report of China releasing new materials related to Unit 731, claiming Japan's confession to bacterial warfare, supplied by Russia. Concurrently, a week after the radar lock-on incident, defense officials debated whether the Chinese aircraft's radar was in fire control mode. Later in the day, Japan's National Security Advisor engaged in telephone talks with UK, French, and German officials to counter China's claims regarding Taiwan contingency, and the government pledged to strengthen its message regarding China's "unjust" actions. Reports from the South China Sea also detailed Chinese Coast Guard water cannon attacks on Philippine fishing boats.