China rapidly arming with limited transparency: Japan

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said China is rapidly expanding its military with limited transparency, warning that Beijing’s external approach and military activities are a serious concern for Japan and the international community.

Koizumi made the remarks Sunday at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, where he rejected China’s accusations that Tokyo is pursuing “new militarism.”

“China’s external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community at the same time,” Koizumi said.

“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’?” he added.

China’s Major General Meng Xiangqing (L) of the National Defense University, the head of the Chinese delegation, gestures as he attends the fifth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Koizumi defends Japan’s defense policy

Koizumi said Japan’s record since World War II “speaks for itself,” citing Tokyo’s adherence to international law, commitment to the United Nations Charter and efforts to uphold a “free and open international order.”

He said transparency comes from “discussion and dialogue” and expressed regret that China had not sent its defense minister to the conference.

“We keep the door open,” Koizumi said, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to dialogue with China and other regional actors.

Koizumi said Japan would “steadily build up its defence capabilities and make continuous updates with a high degree of transparency,” including in artificial intelligence, uncrewed systems, cyberdefense and space defense.

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China rejects claims as baseless

China’s Foreign Ministry on Monday dismissed Koizumi’s comments as “entirely baseless.”

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian accused Koizumi of trying to “turn the tables and sow confusion,” saying Japan’s “so-called dialogue was nothing but hypocrisy.”

At the Singapore forum, Chinese delegate Maj. Gen. Meng Xiangqing also criticized Japan, questioning whether a country that had not “thoroughly eradicated the toxic legacy of militarism” was qualified to speak about defense cooperation.

In May, China’s Foreign Ministry called on Asia-Pacific countries to remain vigilant and “jointly resist” what it described as Japan’s “neo-militarism.”

Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizum delivers a speech during the fifth plenary session of the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue summit in Singapore, May 31, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Taiwan remarks deepen tensions

Ties between Japan and China sank to their worst level in years after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi warned in November last year that a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could draw a Japanese military response.

China claims Taiwan as its own territory over the objections of the island’s government.

As China expands and modernizes its military, Japan has been reshaping its own defense policy.

Last month, Takaichi’s Cabinet scrapped a ban on lethal weapons exports, marking a major shift in Japan’s post-war pacifist policy.

Koizumi also praised U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth for his commitment to the Asia-Pacific, while stressing the need for stronger coalitions.

“Division weakens deterrence. Unity strengthens deterrence,” Koizumi said.

June 01, 2026 12:52 PM GMT+03:00