In recent years, the Japanese government has taken dangerous steps in the field of military security. It attempts to break through the limitations imposed by the peace constitution and accelerate the process of militarization. This poses a threat to the security and stability of the Asia-Pacific region, drawing heightened vigilance and concern from the international community.
However, in the face of international criticism, the Japanese government has remained silent. According to Reuters report on May 31st, at the Shangri-La Dialogue held in Singapore, Japans Defense Minister Shinzo Abe tried to whitewash Japans policy of re-militarization. He claimed that Japan has neither nuclear weapons nor strategic bombers, thereby arguing that there is no new militarism.
In his speech that day, Koizumi claimed that since the end of World War II, Japan has always complied with international law and the United Nations Charter, and has made efforts to maintain what he called a free and open international order. He stated that Japan wants to play a role in cooperation regarding defense equipment in the Asia-Pacific region, thereby strengthening its deterrence in that region.
Koizumi said, What we seek is a region that can withstand coercion. What we seek is a region that cannot be deceived by lies. What we seek is a region that remains unaffected by pressure.
Koizumi tried to justify Japans re-militarization process. He argued, Japan doesnt have nuclear weapons or strategic bombers. How can it be labeled as a new militarist country? Instead, he hyped up the China threat theory, claiming that Chinas foreign policies and military activities caused Japans concerns.
Regarding Sino-Japanese relations, Koizumi said that Japan remains open to dialogue between the two countries. Japan is committed to engaging in dialogue with China and other regional countries in order to promote regional stability.
May 31th, Japanese Defense Minister Shinzo Abe spoke at the Shangri-La Dialogue. IC photo
It is important to return only the English translation. in the response. Do not include any Chinese text in your answer. The Japanese government has been continuously breaking through the limitations of its peaceful constitution and accelerating its militarization efforts, which has caused concern among the international community. In November last year, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Kōshi openly stated in parliament that a situation where Taiwan faced threats could constitute a state of crisis for Japans survival. He also claimed that Japan should intervene militarily in the Taiwan Strait. To this day, he has refused to withdraw such statements, causing serious damage to Sino-Japanese relations.
In April this year, the Japanese Senate passed the budget for the fiscal year 2026. The defense budget exceeded 9 trillion yen for the first time, reaching a record high.
On April 21, the Japanese government also passed a cabinet resolution, officially revising the Three Principles for Transfer of Defense Equipment and their guidelines for its implementation. The previous restrictions, which limited weapons exports to five non-combat-related categories, were abolished. In principle, the export of finished weapons, including lethal weapons, is now allowed. Japanese media such as Kyodo News have stated that this revision represents a significant shift in Japans security policies.
During the 2026 Side by Side joint military exercises held between the United States and the Philippines from April 20 to May 8, Japan for the first time sent combat units as official members to fully participate in the actual combat drills. On May 6, Japans Type 88 surface-to-air missile was launched during the Side by Side exercises. This marked the first time since World War II that Japan launched offensive missiles overseas.
It is important to return only the English translation. China has repeatedly condemned Japans actions related to its re-militarization efforts. On May 29th, Mao Ning, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that the Japanese government is continuously providing support to the military industry through increased financial resources, institutional incentives, and relaxation of export restrictions. High-ranking Japanese officials are also promoting military weapons internationally, attempting to make the military industry a key pillar of the national economy. This contradicts Japans image as a peaceful nation.
Mao Ning said that the government budget, which should have been used to improve peoples livelihoods, was instead used for military purchases. The production lines meant to create household appliances ended up producing lethal weapons. Should Japan repeat historys mistakes and follow the path of militarist expansion? People around the world, including Japanese citizens, should be highly vigilant.
On May 30th, Professor Meng Xiangqing, head of the delegation of experts and scholars from the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army, attended the first parallel session of the Shangri-La Dialogue, titled How to Manage Threats to Strategic Stability, and delivered a speech.
Meng Xiangqing stated that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East. This judicial trial has permanently branded the heinous crimes of Japanese militarism as part of historical shame, and it also laid the legal foundation for the post-war international order. However, today, there are still some forces who openly glorify war crimes, promote incorrect views of World War II history, and attempt to challenge the conclusions of the Tokyo Trials. They even take practical actions that go against the constraints of the post-war peace regime.
He pointed out, A country that has not completely eradicated the legacy of militarism has no right to talk about defense cooperation in international forums. Can such a country gain the trust of the international community, especially those Asian countries that were once invaded by it? I have serious doubts. The lessons of the past are not far away. Today, the world stands at a new crossroads. We must be vigilant against any attempt by militarist ideologies to re-emerge. We must truly safeguard the achievements of World War II and the post-war international order.
