MANILA (Bloomberg): Japan rejected the notion that it’s pursuing "new militarism,” the country’s defense chief said Sunday, an accusation made by China amid growing tensions between the two countries.
"There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers,” Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said in a speech at the Shangri-La defense forum in Singapore. "Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labeled new militarism. Isn’t it strange?”
The comments came a day after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth hailed newly stable ties with Beijing.
Japan has long been wary of directly criticizing China, but has been under pressure since late last year as Beijing has stepped up its warnings about Tokyo’s re-militarization.
That’s come as Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has moved to lift restrictions on weapons exports, joined US-led combat exercises in the South China Sea, and openly speculated about a fight over Taiwan.
Those moves have drawn the ire of Xi Jinping’s government, particularly her suggestion that Japanese troops could be deployed if China tries to seize Taiwan. Beijing has sought to rally other countries around the idea that there are parallels to the fight against Imperial Japan during World War II.
"But nothing further from the truth,” Koizumi said, adding that Japan’s efforts were intended to deter conflict and were being conducted in a transparent way.
Koizumi’s speech was marked with references to Japan’s concern about China’s growing assertiveness, which are contributing to what he called the "weaponization of everything” in the Indo-Pacific region.
"We seek a region that can stand against coercion. We seek a region that is not misled by falsehoods. We seek a region that is not influenced by pressure,” Koizumi said.
Despite the ally-rattling "America First” policies of President Donald Trump, the US has continued to engage with allies in the Indo-Pacific to deter China. Those partners, including Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines, have also deepened defense cooperation in recent years.
"Japan will further strengthen cooperation with all of you,” Koizumi said, adding he looks forward to speaking again with this Chinese counterpart, who didn’t attend this year.
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