• Japan's Defence Minister rebukes accusations of 'new militarism' at the Shangri-La Dialogue.
• Shinjiro Koizumi criticizes China's military expansion as a matter of serious concern.
• Japan stresses commitment to international law and transparency in military affairs.

At the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi forcefully rejected claims that Tokyo is engaging in "new militarism", asserting instead that it is China that poses a significant military concern due to its lack of transparency in expanding military capabilities. Koizumi stated, “Think about it. There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’?” He emphasized Japan's ongoing commitment to maintaining international peace underpinned by its adherence to the United Nations Charter and international law, according to Channel News Asia, Reuters, and South China Morning Post.

Throughout his speech, Koizumi expressed concern regarding China's military expenditures, noting that “China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level” which raises alarms not just for Japan but for the broader international community. This remark aligns with comments made by Chinese delegates at the conference, who criticized Japan's military developments as alarming, reflecting deteriorating relations between the two nations which have intensified since November when Japan's Prime Minister hinted at a potential military response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan, according to Al Jazeera, BBC, and Channel News Asia.

Koizumi also pointed out that the perceived militarism attributed to Japan is misguided, reiterating the notion that Japan does not possess offensive military capabilities such as nuclear weapons. He argued that Japan's history post-World War II exemplifies a commitment to peace and regional stability, countering the narrative of its supposed militaristic revival. He called for transparency and dialogue as vital components for achieving stability in the region, emphasizing that Japan remains open to communication with China despite ongoing tensions, according to Reuters, South China Morning Post, and BBC.

Reflecting on Japan's evolving defence posture, Koizumi highlighted recent reforms enabling defence exports, marking a departure from previously strict policies, as Japan seeks to bolster its deterrent capabilities in response to regional threats. This shift has drawn attention and criticism from Beijing, which views Japan's military evolution with suspicion and as a reemergence of historical aggressiveness, as reported by Al Jazeera and Reuters.