Japan rejects China’s ‘neo-militarism’ charge at Singapore forum

Japan’s defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, rejected China’s accusation of “neo-militarism” at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, saying Tokyo’s expanded defense policy remains transparent and rooted in its postwar commitment to peace. Koizumi said Japan would keep strengthening its capabilities as warfare changes, citing AI, cyber operations, unmanned systems and space technology. He also said Japan’s “door to dialogue is always open,” even as ties with Beijing remain strained. Koizumi criticized China’s military buildup and said it was troubling that he could not meet Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who again skipped the forum. Beijing instead sent a lower-level delegation led by Meng Xiangqing.