‘Nothing further from the truth’: Japan defense minister denies China ‘new militarism’ claims

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi delivered a sharp rebuttal to Beijing's ongoing accusations that Tokyo is pursuing “new militarism” while criticizing China’s own military expansion and lack of transparency.

This came on the last day of the defense summit in Singapore where he argued that China itself poses the most serious concern to the global community. His remarks were a direct pushback from Tokyo against China’s ongoing condemnation of Japan’s defense expansion under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.

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China’s national defense ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin warned: “ The grey rhino of a remilitarized Japan is gathering speed and called the international community to work together to contain Japan’s neo-multitarianism.”

When a Chinese military official asked if Japan would make a formal apology to China, South Korea and South East Asian victims of WW2, Koizumi fired back, taking direct aim at Beijing’s own record.

“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.

Japan’s PM Takaichi has taken significant steps to enhance the country’s defense capabilities in 2025. The country is working on investing in new missiles and drones deployed on land and underwater. 

Notably, tensions intensified in November when Beijing took issue with Takaichi’s suggestion that Japan could respond with force if China attacked Taiwan.

Tokyo revealed its major overhaul of defense rules in decades, loosening restrictions on military sales and opening the way for the export of missiles and other weapons.