Japan seeks dialog, rejects neo-militarism label: defense minister

“Japan’s door to dialog is always open” to the international community even as it increases defense spending and revises its arms exports guidelines, according to defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi.

Speaking at the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue, Koizumi said that Tokyo has consistently respected international law, adding that “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.”

He also said about accusations Japan is engaging in “neo-militarism” that there’s “nothing further from the truth.”

China’s defense ministry on May 28 had called on the international community to jointly contain Japan’s “neo-militarism,” according to state media outlet Xinhua.

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.

Beijing had sent a lower-level delegation led by Major General Meng Xiangqing from the People’s Liberation Army National Defence University, after Dong skipped the Dialogue for a second year running.

Earlier at the Dialogue, Meng had taken a swipe at Tokyo, noting that 2026 was the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, where Japanese leaders were tried for their crimes in World War II in 1946.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation had noted back November 2022 that its members were concerned about China’s rapid and opaque military buildup, according to Reuters.

This has caused serious concern to Tokyo and in the international community, with Koizumi also saying that Japan believes it is essential to have “persistent, candid dialog and communication” without shying away from difficult issues.

He acknowledged that nations will have different positions and views, “but that is precisely because we need to have talks.”