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Japan defence minister denies militarism, criticises China's 'huge arsenal' Shinjiro Koizumi makes some of Tokyo's most pointed remarks yet in the dispute over Japan's military build-up.

Japan and China trade accusations at Shangri-La Dialogue Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has strongly rejected China's claim that Japan is moving toward “neo-militarism.” He accused Beijing of rapidly arming itself.

Japan rejects ‘new militarism’, says China is rapidly arming Japan accuses China of lacking military transparency and stresses the importance of dialogue for regional stability.

Japanese defence minister rejects ‘new militarism’ label from China in Shangri-La speech Japan’s defence minister has rejected suggestions that his country is reviving its militaristic past, telling a regional security conference that changes to its defence strategy would allow it to play a new cooperative role. Shinjiro Koizumi also used his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday to state that Tokyo opposed “unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion”, a comment believed to refer to Beijing’s maritime activities, including in the East and South China seas, and...

China's Foreign Ministry accuses Japan of pursuing remilitarization through expanded spending, loosened exports, missile deployments, and constitutional revision. Beijing warned the international community to stay on high alert against Japanese militarism. 🇨🇳🇯🇵🚨

Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, Defence Minister Koizumi tells BBC Japan needs to revisit the pacifist posture that has defined it since World War Two, Shinjiro Koizumi says.

Japan pushes back against accusations of 'new militarism' Japanese ⁠Defence Minister Koizumi Shinjirō ​denied accusations of "new militarism" ​in a speech delivered at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Asia's premier forum for defence leaders, militaries and diplomats.

Japan shrugs off China's 'new militarism' label Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has strongly rejected China's claim that his nation was moving towards “new militarism.” He accused Beijing of rapidly arming itself.

Japan pushes back against accusations of 'new militarism' "Think about it. There's a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled 'new militarism'?," said Japanese defence minister Koizumi Shinjirō. 

Japan ramping up defence is 'critical' to prevent war, Defence Minister Koizumi tells BBC Japan needs to revisit the pacifist posture that has defined it since World War Two, Shinjiro Koizumi says.

Japan refutes 'new militarism', accuses China of rapidly arming "Think about it. There's a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled 'new militarism'?," said Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. 

Japan defence minister denies militarism and criticises China's 'huge arsenal' Shinjiro Koizumi makes some of Tokyo's most pointed remarks yet in the dispute over Japan's military build-up.

Japan defence minister rebuffs claims of ‘new militarism’ levelled by China <p>Shinjiro Koizumi says Japan valued as a ‘peace-loving’ nation while China expands military capabilities ‘without sufficient transparency’</p><p>Japan’s defence minister took a veiled swipe at China on Sunday, pledging to keep strengthening the military despite Beijing’s criticism of Tokyo’s increasingly muscular security stance.</p><p>Under the prime minister, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/sanae-takaichi">Sanae Takaichi</a>, Japan has quickened its pivot to a more proactive defence policy, further shaking off – with US encouragement – its pacifist outlook in place since the end of the second world war.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/31/japan-defence-minister-rebuffs-claims-of-new-militarism-levelled-by-china">Continue reading...</a>