China and Japan face scrutiny over military policy and legislative updates

China’s revised National Defence Mobilisation Law, approved by President Xi Jinping, has triggered widespread online misinformation. Claims circulating on social media in Chinese, English, and Korean falsely suggest the amendment constitutes an immediate mobilization order or a sweeping new conscription mandate for citizens. Fact-checking indicates that many of the provisions cited in these posts were already part of the original 2010 legislation and that a formal mobilization requires a decision by the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress.

Separately, Japan’s Ministry of Defense has released its “Defense of Japan 2026” white paper. The document introduces a new chapter on modern warfare trends, emphasizing the use of artificial intelligence and unmanned systems. It also advocates for strengthening defense production and technological bases through the integration of military and civilian technologies. Critics have characterized the white paper as an attempt to justify military expansion and a departure from Japan’s post-war defense-oriented policies.