Japan's defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, on Sunday rejected accusations of 'new militarism' from China, asserting that Japan remains a peace-loving nation while China expands its military capabilities without sufficient transparency.
Koizumi's Response at Shangri-La Dialogue
Speaking at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue security summit in Singapore, Koizumi said claims of Japan's 'new militarism' were far from the truth. He pointed out that Japan does not possess nuclear weapons or strategic bombers, unlike an unnamed country—widely understood to be China—which has a huge arsenal of such weapons. 'Isn't it strange?' he asked.
Japan's Defence Policy Shift
Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan has accelerated its move toward a more proactive defence policy, shedding its post-World War II pacifist stance with encouragement from the United States. This shift has drawn frequent criticism from Beijing, which accuses Tokyo of destabilising the region.
China's Military Expansion
China, which is believed to possess hundreds of nuclear warheads, has been rapidly developing its military. Koizumi expressed serious concern over China's military activities and lack of transparency. He vowed that Japan would steadily build up its defence capabilities with high transparency, including in artificial intelligence, uncrewed systems, and cyber and space defence.
Diplomatic Tensions over Taiwan
Relations between Japan and China have been strained since Takaichi suggested in November that Japan might intervene militarily if China attempted to seize Taiwan, a self-ruled island that Beijing claims as part of its territory.
China's Delegation at the Forum
Unlike Japan and its ally the United States, China sent a reduced delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue, without its defence minister for the second consecutive year. Koizumi expressed regret over the missed opportunity for a bilateral meeting.
The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia's premier defence forum, gathering security officials and experts from about 45 countries.
