Japan criticizes China's military buildup, saying it is rapidly expanding without transparency

Japan has rejected accusations that it is ushering in a new era of militarism, criticizing China for rapidly expanding its military without transparency, a move that signals further escalation of tensions between the two countries. Defense Minister Minoru Kihara told the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that China has been continuously increasing its military spending. He added that China's external approach and military activities are a matter of serious concern not only for Japan but also for the international community. "There is a country that possesses a large number of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan does not have a single weapon of that kind, yet they label Japan as new militarist? " he questioned. Kihara said that Japan's post-World War II record "speaks for itself." He pointed out that Japan not only adheres to international law and upholds the UN Charter but also strives to maintain a free and open international order. In May, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs had urged countries in the Asia-Pacific region to jointly resist Japan's moves to pursue new militarism. At the Singapore dialogue, Chinese representative General Ming Shangqing also criticized Japan again. "I have serious doubts whether a country that has not yet eradicated the toxic legacy of militarism is qualified to speak so extensively about defense cooperation at international forums, and whether it can gain the trust of the international community, including the Asian countries it once invaded," Ming Shangqing said. Relations between the two countries have reached their worst state in many years since Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida warned in November that Japan might respond if China attacked Taiwan.