Allies' actions small but nevertheless malicious

Monday was an ordinary day, but some moves by Japan and the United States could not help but cause heightened alarm.

Fumio Kishida, Japan's prime minister, announced on Monday Japan's purchase of 400 US-made Tomahawk cruise missiles to acquire so-called counterstrike capability to attack the missile launch sites of "enemies".

This is the fifth batch of Tomahawk missiles purchased by Japan. Reportedly, they are the most advanced ones, with a maximum range of 2,414 kilometers and capability to fly at subsonic speeds and low altitudes, making them difficult to detect by radar.