Japan rejects ‘new militarism’, says China is rapidly arming

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi accuses China of lacking military transparency and stresses the importance of dialogue for regional stability.Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has dismissed claims that Tokyo is pursuing “new militarism” and accused China of rapidly expanding its military with limited transparency.China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level, Koizumi said on Sunday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Australia, Japan strike largest defence deal for advanced warshipslist 2 of 3Taiwan monitors ‘unprovoked’ Chinese combat patrol near islandlist 3 of 3Some fear US-Philippines war games are drawing conflict closer to homeend of list“China’s external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for ⁠Japan and the international community at the same time,” he added.“Think about it. There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’?”Koizumi said Japan’s record since World War II “speaks for itself”, citing its adherence ‌to international law and commitment to the United Nations Charter alongside efforts to uphold a “free and open international order”.In May, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called on Asia Pacific countries to be vigilant and “jointly resist the reckless actions of Japan’s neo-militarism”.At the Singapore forum, Chinese delegate Major General Meng Xiangqing criticised Japan.“I deeply doubt whether a country that has not thoroughly eradicated the toxic legacy of militarism is qualified to talk extensively about defence cooperation on international occasions and whether it can win the trust of the international community, especially ⁠the Asian countries it once invaded,” he said.US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, left, speaks with Koizumi during the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue on May 29, 2026 [Jam Sta Rosa/AFP]Ties between Japan and China sank to ⁠their worst level in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned in November that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a Japanese military response.