At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Sunday, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi strongly rejected China's allegations that Japan is moving toward 'new militarism,' instead accusing Beijing of rapidly expanding its military capabilities 'without sufficient transparency.'

Koizumi stated that China continues to increase defense spending at a high level and that its military activities are a matter of 'serious concern' for Japan and the international community.

Ties between the two Asian nations have deteriorated since Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned in November that Japan could intervene if China were to attack Taiwan, the self-governing democratic island claimed by Beijing.

Under Takaichi, Japan has been strengthening its domestic arms industry and deepening ties with defense partners, marking a shift from the pacifist principles that shaped its post-World War II security policy.

Koizumi dismissed China's 'new militarism' accusations as 'nothing could be further from the truth,' noting that Japan lacks nuclear weapons and strategic bombers, unlike China.

Chinese Major General Meng Xiangqing retorted that Japan has not 'thoroughly eradicated the toxic legacy of militarism' and questioned its trustworthiness among Asian countries it once invaded.

Koizumi pledged to build up Japan's defense capabilities with 'a high degree of transparency,' including in AI, unmanned systems, cyber, and space defense.

He said Japan is 'determined' to play a new role in enhancing defense cooperation in the Asia-Pacific. Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun skipped the summit for the second consecutive year.

Source: www.dw.com