SINGAPORE (Reuters), – China’s and Russia’s maneuvers have raised security concerns in East Asia. Nobuo Koshi, Japan Defence Minister said on Saturday in unusually strong remarks that Japan was at the forefront of international efforts to undermine international norms.

Kishi stated that Japan is “surrounded by actors who possess or are developing nuclear weapons and that openly disregard rules” at Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia’s top security gathering.

China and Russia carried out a joint air patrol over waters near Japan and Taiwan in May. This was their first after Russia invaded Ukraine.

He said that joint military operations between the two military superpowers would undoubtedly cause concern in other countries.

Fumio Kishida the Japanese Prime Minister made this same statement in his Shangri-La Dialogue keynote address the night before. His country will demand more defence spending, and could possibly look into advanced strike arms.

He stated that Ukraine may become East Asia “tomorrow”

Kishi stated that security and stability in the Taiwan Strait were also crucial for Japan’s and other countries’ security. He called China “a nation of concern” on Saturday.

Moscow describes Russia’s incursion in Ukraine as “special military operations” and Tokyo is alarmed. This could be a means to establish military force and to help China take control over Taiwan. Taiwan lies near Japan and has maritime trade routes which feed its economy.

Kishi also criticized North Korea’s missile testing this year.

The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue attracted top-ranking diplomats, military leaders, and weapon-makers from across the globe.

Standing alongside Kishida at Tokyo’s May 5th Tokyo International Film Festival, President Joe Biden stated that the United States will militarily intervene in case China attacks Taiwan. Biden’s statements were later denied by the White House as a departure from its current policy regarding Taiwan.

China claimed that its recent military drills in Taiwan which it considered part of its territory were meant to protect its sovereignty.

The administration of Kishida published a policy document on Tuesday that stated it would dramatically increase defense spending in the next five-years.