Japan defence minister denies militarism and criticises China’s ‘huge arsenal’

BBC:

Japan’s defence minister has rebutted Beijing’s claim that his country is engaging in a “new militarism” – criticising China for its military expansion and lack of transparency.

Speaking on the last day of a defence summit in Singapore, Shinjiro Koizumi argued it was actually China and its “huge arsenal” of weapons that was of “serious concern” to the international community.

His remarks were some of the most pointed yet from Tokyo in response to China’s repeated criticism of Japan’s military build-up under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

The two countries have a long history of tensions stemming from Japan’s invasion of China during World War Two.

Last week, a day before the Singapore summit began, China’s national defence ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin warned “the grey rhino of a remilitarised Japan is gathering speed” and called on the international community to “work together to contain Japan’s neo-militarism”.

Japan has been steadily increasing its defence budget, setting spending records for 12 consecutive years. Its latest budget, approved in December by its cabinet, is for more than 9 trillion yen ($57bn, £42bn) – moving the country closer to its target of spending 2% of its GDP on the military.

The Japanese government has previously insisted it does not seek war and only wants to bolster its defences.

In his speech on Sunday at the Shangri-la Dialogue, Koizumi said it was “only natural” that every country, including Japan, updates its defences to meet new challenges and to contribute to peace in the region.

He sought to reassure the roomful of officials from Asian countries, including several that were invaded by Japan in WW2, by promising Japan would proceed “with a high degree of transparency” and engage in constant dialogue with other countries.

“What are we developing these capabilities for? And based on what thinking? Japan will move forward while making a clear explanation to the international community,” he said.

Koizumi refuted the idea that Japan was engaged in “new militarism” saying it was “nothing further from the truth”.

“There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers,” he said, in a veiled reference to China. “Japan has neither of these weapons. And yet Japan is labelled [with] ‘new militarism’. Isn’t it strange?”

Following his speech, a representative of the Chinese military asked if Japan would issue an apology to China, South Korea and South East Asian victims in WW2.

Shinjiro Koizumi sidestepped the dialogue participant’s question while taking aim at China.

“China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level and is rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of areas without sufficient transparency. China’s external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community,” he said.