Japan is facing its most severe security environment since World War II as three potential adversaries in East Asia – China, Russia and North Korea – ramp up military activities in the region, the country’s defense minister said Tuesday.

The Japan Self-Defense Force has missed its recruitment goal for the last several years and is struggling to meet those goals amid rising tensions in the region.

Japan has raised strong caution about China’s rapid acceleration of military activity in extensive areas from around its coasts and into the Pacific, describing the moves as the biggest

Japan has raised strong caution about China’s rapid acceleration of military activity in extensive areas from around its coasts and into the Pacific, describing the moves as the biggest strategic chal

One challenge is that, by eliminating the “nuclear village” entirely, Japan would lose its nuclear expertise, as almost every expert is linked to the system. As a result, the village persists.

His public comment is the first by a senior Japanese official over security issues raised by a $47 billion buyout offer by Canada's Alimentation Couche-Tard , opens new tab. Sign up here.

While all of these screening approaches present significant hurdles and unpredictability to foreign investors, Japan’s current system is less effective in facing the changing nature of economic security challenges. Japan would benefit from improving the effectiveness and transparency of its investment regulations.