Japan's defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, rejected China's "new militarism" label at the Shangri-La Dialogue, asserting that changes to Japan's defence strategy aim for a new cooperative role. Koizumi opposed "unilateral changes to the status quo by force or coercion," implicitly targeting Beijing's maritime activities and potential military action regarding Taiwan.
He questioned the "new militarism" label given Japan lacks nuclear weapons and strategic bombers, unlike the country making the accusation. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's administration is revising Japan's policy framework for a more proactive military posture, a shift China condemns as a revival of World War II militarism. These revisions would allow Japan to export lethal weapons, despite its post-war pacifist constitution. Koizumi stressed strengthening defence capabilities and preventing "gaps" among allies that could be exploited. He expressed concern over China's opaque, high defence spending and military expansion, advocating for direct dialogue despite not meeting his Chinese counterpart.
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