Japan Denies ‘New Militarism' After China Claims

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi on Sunday rejected accusations from China that Tokyo's recent defense buildup amounts to a “new militarism,” while simultaneously emphasizing that the “door is always open” to bilateral dialogue.

While Japan's postwar constitution strictly limits the nation’s military role and renounces war as a sovereign right, Tokyo has progressively enhanced its defense posture in recent years. This strategic shift includes increased defense spending, expanded joint exercises with the United States and regional partners like the Philippines and Australia, and an April decision to relax longstanding restrictions on lethal weapons exports.

In response, China has intensified a vocal campaign accusing Japan of “remilitarization,” framing Tokyo's defense reforms as a revival of historical militarism and frequently invoking memories of Imperial Japan's wartime aggression.

Newsweek reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry by email with a request for comment.

Clarifying Japan’s Strategic Intentions

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue-an annual security summit hosted by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) that convenes defense ministers, military officials, diplomats, and analysts from across the region-Koizumi sought to contextualize Japan’s security policies.

“Japan’s defense policy and defense buildups are not based on the idea of identifying any specific country or region as a threat-or having a military confrontation with it,” he stated.

However, the defense minister did not mince words regarding Beijing’s own rapidly expanding military footprint and lack of geopolitical clarity.

“That said, China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level and is rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of areas without sufficient transparency,” he said. “These activities are serious areas of concern for Japan and the international community.”

Challenging the ‘Militarism’ Narrative

Koizumi's remarks were a direct response to a challenge from Chinese military official Major General Meng Xiangqing. Meng had drawn comparisons to Imperial Japan's “toxic legacy” during the 1930s and 1940s, arguing that Tokyo’s military normalization remains a deep concern for nations that previously suffered under Japanese occupation.

Without explicitly naming Beijing, Koizumi pointed out the stark asymmetry in the regional balance of power to counter the accusation.

“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 labelled new militarism. Isn’t it strange?” he said.

Koizumi underscored Tokyo’s commitment to diplomacy, noting that Japan believes it is vital to maintain “persistent, candid dialogue” through all available channels without shying away from difficult issues.

“Japan’s door is always open,” Koizumi reiterated.

Shifting Regional Dynamics and Partnerships

The defense minister also conveyed his best wishes to his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, expressing disappointment that a bilateral meeting could not take place. The Chinese defense chief skipped the Shangri-La Dialogue for the second consecutive year, with Beijing electing to send a delegation composed primarily of academics and lower-level military representatives.

Meanwhile, Tokyo continued to deepen its security ties elsewhere in the Indo-Pacific. On the sidelines of the summit, Koizumi met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro. The two agreed to advance plans for the transfer of retired Abukuma-class destroyer escorts and TC-90 surveillance aircraft to bolster Manila's defense capabilities. Like Japan, the Philippines is currently embroiled in longstanding territorial disputes with China in the maritime domain.

Commenting on Japan’s shifting regional strategy, Robert Ward, Japan Chair and Director of the IISS Geo-economics and Strategy Programme, noted that Tokyo is successfully finding common ground with neighbors anxious about Beijing’s naval ambitions.

“In a sense, Japan’s pushing on a bit of an open door with some countries that are also worried about China,” Ward told Newsweek. “But that doesn’t change the primacy of the U.S.-Japan security alliance.”

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