Beijing’s accusation that Japan was practicing a “new militarism” has been refuted by Japan’s defense minister, who has criticized China for its military build-up and lack of openness. According to Shinjiro Koizumi, the world community’s “serious concern” was China and its “huge arsenal” of weapons.
On the final day of a defense forum in Singapore, he made some of Tokyo’s sharpest comments to date in reaction to China’s persistent criticism of Japan’s military build-up under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. Tensions between the two nations have long existed as a result of Japan’s invasion of China during World War Two.
Jiang Bin, a spokesman for China’s national defense ministry, issued a warning last week that “the grey rhino of a remilitarized Japan is gathering speed” and urged the international community to “work together to contain Japan’s neo-militarism” one day prior to the start of the Singapore summit.
Japan’s defense budget has been rising gradually, and for the past 12 years, it has established spending records. The country is getting closer to its goal of allocating 2% of its GDP to the military with its most recent budget, approved by the cabinet in December and totalling more than 9 trillion yen ($57 billion; £42 billion). The Japanese administration has repeatedly stated that it merely wants to strengthen its defenses and is not seeking conflict.
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