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Japan Defies Beijing's Propaganda, Calls Out China's Massive Military Build-up

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi rejects 'militarism' smears, highlighting China's lack of transparency and dangerous nuclear arsenal.

Foreign PolicyPublished May 31, 2026 at 6:34 AMProcessed May 31, 2026 at 2:09 PM
A Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) Type 88 surface-to-ship missile launcher fires during the Joint Task Force (JTF) Maritime Strike, part of Balikatan

Japan is finally standing its ground against Beijing’s transparent attempts to bully its neighbors. Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi dismantled China’s hypocritical narrative of a 'new militarism' in Japan, rightly pointing out that it is China—not Japan—that possesses a massive, opaque arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers.

While Beijing’s mouthpieces engage in fear-mongering about a 'remilitarized' Japan, Tokyo is simply taking the necessary, common-sense steps to secure its sovereignty in an increasingly hostile neighborhood.

Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan has rightfully prioritized its national security, increasing defense spending for 12 consecutive years to reach a budget of over 9 trillion yen. This is not aggression; it is the fundamental duty of a sovereign nation to protect its citizens.

Despite attempts by Chinese officials to distract from their own military expansion by dredging up World War II history, Koizumi remained focused on the present reality: China’s rapid, unchecked military growth is a legitimate concern for the entire international community.

Japan’s commitment to bolstering its defense industrial base, including the development of surface-to-ship missiles and drones, is a long-overdue response to the shifting power dynamics in the Indo-Pacific.

Tokyo is proving that it will no longer be intimidated by Beijing’s rhetoric or held hostage by outdated pacifist constraints that only serve to embolden adversaries.

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foreign-policyjapanchinanational-securitydefense

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