A longer-term concern is the rise of China – an economic and demographic powerhouse whose expanding military capacity has enabled it to take an increasingly assertive stance in territorial disputes, including with Japan in the East China Sea. China’s territorial ambitions are also fueling tensions in the South China Sea, where sea-lanes that are vital to Japanese trade are located.
更长期的忧虑是中国崛起。这个经济和人口超级大国正在扩张军力，使其得以在领土争端中采取日益强硬的立场，包括与日本在东海的岛屿争端。中国的领土野心也助长了南海的紧张局势，而南海航线对日本贸易来说至关重要。