Security threat

Japan annual defense paper shows heightened worry over China

Japan emphasized China as a threat in escalating regional tensions in this year's annual defense report as Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's government tries to convince the public of the need to pass legislation to give Japan's military a greater role.

The report, approved Tuesday by the Cabinet, was delayed for more than a week as Abe's ruling party panel demanded mention of additional examples of China's "one-sided" maritime activities, such as undersea gas and oil development in the East China Sea.