The recent announcement by Japan to cancel its 150-year-old Fleet Review, a deeply rooted and historically significant naval tradition, has sparked considerable speculation and online mockery, particularly in China. The timing of the cancellation, coinciding with China’s growing naval power – specifically the deployment of two aircraft carriers – has fuelled interpretations of a shift in regional power dynamics.

For decades, Japan’s maritime strength was a dominant force in Asia. Many observers have pointed to a perceived decline in that position, suggesting a feeling of unease regarding the rapidly expanding capabilities of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). The PLAN’s two aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, along with a growing number of destroyers, frigates, and other warships, represent a considerable challenge to Japan’s naval supremacy.

The Fleet Review, traditionally a display of Japan’s maritime strength and a symbol of national pride, was seemingly deemed less impactful, or even potentially embarrassing, in the face of China’s growing naval presence. Instead of showcasing a fleet potentially dwarfed by China's, Japan opted to forego the event.

The news has been met with a wave of online commentary and humor in China, with many netizens joking about Japan’s apparent change of strategy. Popular sentiments suggest Japan is essentially 「keeping tabs」 on the Chinese navy and, perhaps, has decided to redirect its focus towards more coastal security roles. The lighthearted remarks imply that Japan is effectively "relegated" to a role more akin to a maritime security force, rather than a dominant naval power capable of projecting significant force in the region.

While the official explanation from the Japanese government likely focuses on cost-effectiveness and streamlining national events, the narrative circulating online highlights a perceived shift in the regional balance of power. It’s a complex situation, involving not just military capabilities but also diplomatic considerations and perceptions of strength and influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Regardless of the official reasoning, the cancellation has undeniably become a talking point, and an opportunity for humorous commentary on the evolving naval landscape in Asia.