Japan rejects ‘neo-militarism’ accusations, seeks candid dialogue

SINGAPORE — ‌Japan’s defense minister has rebutted Beijing’s claim that his country is engaging in a “new militarism”, criticizing China for its military expansion and lack of transparency. Speaking on the last day of a defense summit in Singapore, Shinjiro Koizumi said it was actually China and its “huge arsenal” of weapons that was of “serious concern” to the international community. “Japan’s door to dialogue is always open” to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines,” Koizumi said in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier forum for defense leaders, militaries and diplomats. Koizumi said, “Since the end of the Second World ⁠War, Japan has consistently respected ‌international law, ‌including the Charter of the United ‌Nations, and has made sincere ‌efforts to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order.” He added: “Japan’s path as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by the international community. This fact will not be shaken by false claims because it is a fact.” About accusations Japan is engaging in “neo-militarism”, he said there’s “nothing further from the truth.” China’s defense ministry on Thursday had called on the international community to jointly contain Japan’s “neo-militarism,” according to the official Xinhua news agency. Japan has recently taken steps to expand its defense posture, including lifting its ban on lethal arms exports and mulling changes to Article 9 of its constitution, which renounces war and the maintenance of armed forces. Koizumi said, “Think about it. There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labeled neo-militarist. Isn’t it strange?” The Japanese defense minister highlighted Beijing’s lack of a ministerial-level official at the Dialogue, saying that he was “feeling sad” that he was unable to meet with Chinese counterpart Dong Jun at the forum. Koizumi said that differences in perception and frictions do arise between nations, but that a repetition of “unfounded claims in the other side’s absence” was not what was needed.