China Responds to Japanese Defense Minister's Remarks: The Accusation Is Groundless

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded on June 1 to remarks made by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi at the ShangriLa Dialogue, saying that his statements lack basis and are difficult to gain the trust of Asia's neighboring countries and the international community. Lin Jian said that Japan brought serious disasters to its Asian neighbors during World War II, and that relevant international legal documents and Japan's domestic laws both place restrictions on its military capabilities. At the same time, Japan has continued in recent years to increase its defense budget, expand military industrial orders, and promote the deployment of offensive missiles, relax arms exports, and revise security policies, raising outside concern over its militaristic expansion tendencies. Lin Jian also pointed out that Japanese officials are evading historical responsibility while attempting to shift their own problems onto other countries, a move that lacks sincerity. The Chinese side stressed that the international community should remain alert to dangerous trends in the regional security situation and prevent the rise of "new militarism."