Is North Korea or China a bigger threat?

At first glance the question is absurd: China’s People’s Liberation Army is the largest military force in the world, backed by the world’s second-largest economy and a clear intent to both modernize and assert itself in neighboring territorial waters.

But ask a neighboring country with contentious relations with both Pyongyang and Beijing and the answers vary widely. A number of experts on Japanese sentiment said that, yes, China has the more intimidating military presence in the region, but their actions are predictable and they have regular, even constructive dialogue with Tokyo.

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