You could say the same for us as well(only difference is that we have nukes and much more power projection capabilities/influence owing to the fact that we were a victor in world war II, would have been different had we lost though.lol). It seems many Chinese members here tend to underestimate Japan. For one Japan was NEVER colonised(bthey did colonised others though) unlike all other countries in Asia (maybe bar to some extent China), Japan also has the best and most adavnced Navy in Asia even today
(Though China has the largest), Japan was the first country in Asia to industrialise(when all oither Asian countries didnt even know what Industrilization was all about.lol), Japa is still the most adavanced country in Asia overall(despite the fact that they hatheir lead has reduced), Japan is still a developed country with one of the hisghest living standard in Asia(something China will need decades of high GDP growth to even come close to), Japan is still the world's third largest economy(bigger than the U.K. France, ,and even Germany) for example Japas GDP is still almost 3 times a big country like India. , Compared to Japans size/population, its Navy/defence spending is huge and more than enough to defend it from any foreign/Chinese/Russian threat, To put things into perspective, If China had a navy comparable to Japan relative to its size/population etc, then Chinas Navy will have to be almost twice the Size of the U.S Navy.lol etc etc. In fact, i will even say China's current Navy/power projection capabilities are surprisingly sub par giving its current size and world trade. It should at least have 1/3rd or half of U.S navy's size/capabilities. Compared to China, Japan is very well armed for its size. So you have to understimate Japan to your own peri(land mind you, it still spends the lowest amount as a percentage of its GDP con defence, compared to all countries in Asia, it could easilly increase it to China's level if needed, that will make things even more interesting).