Japan’s Defence Minister took a veiled swipe at China on Sunday (May 31, 2026), pledging to keep strengthening the military despite Beijing’s criticism of Tokyo’s increasingly muscular security stance.

Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan has quickened its pivot towards a more proactive defence policy, further shaking off — with U.S. encouragement — its pacifist outlook in place since the end of World War II.

The change has drawn frequent rebukes from Beijing, which has accused Tokyo of following a reckless policy of “new militarism” that could destabilise the region.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi hit back on Sunday (May 31, 2026), saying “nothing could be further from the truth”.

“Think about it. There is a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers,” Koizumi said at the annual Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.

“Japan has neither of such weapons. And yet, Japan is labelled (as) ‘new militarism’. Isn’t it strange?” he said, without mentioning China by name.

China is thought to possess hundreds of nuclear warheads and has been rapidly developing its military in recent years.

A diplomatic spat between the Asian rivals has been rumbling since Ms. Takaichi suggested in November that Japan might intervene militarily if China were to attempt to seize Taiwan, the self-ruled island that Beijing claims is part of its territory.

Mr. Koizumi said that China was expanding its military capabilities “without sufficient transparency” and that its military activities were “a matter of serious concern for Japan”.

Tokyo would “steadily build up its defence capabilities and make continuous updates with a high degree of transparency”, including in the fields of artificial intelligence, uncrewed systems as well as cyber and space defence, he said.

“Japan’s past as a peace-loving nation has been valued by the region and by international community. This fact will not be shaken by false claims, because it is a fact,” he said.

In a meeting with his Philippine counterpart Gilberto Teodoro, the two countries confirmed that Japan would aim to transfer Abukuma-class destroyers and TC-90 aircraft to the Southeast Asian nation during Japan’s fiscal year 2027, a Philippine statement said.

Manila has been eyeing the Abukuma-class vessels — which are being retired by Japan — for some time, with the military sending a contingent to examine them in 2025.

The countries have been deepening defence ties in the shadow of China’s naval ambitions, announcing that they will discuss intelligence sharing and open maritime border talks condemned by Beijing as an “illegal” violation of its expansive territorial claims.

The Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s top defence forum, bringing together security officials and experts from about 45 countries.

In contrast to Japan — and its ally the United States — China has sent a watered-down delegation that does not include its defence minister, Dong Jun, for the second year running.

Mr. Koizumi said he was “feeling sad that we were unable to have the opportunity to have a meeting this time”.

Trade cooperation between China and Japan has taken a “great” hit following the recent remarks on Taiwan made by the Japanese Prime Minister, the Chinese Commerce Ministry said on Thursday (November 20, 2025).

If Japan insists on going down the “wrong” path, China will take the necessary measures, He Yongqian, Spokesperson at the Chinese Commerce Ministry, said at a regular news briefing.

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sparked the most serious diplomatic crisis in years between Asia’s two biggest economies when she told Japanese lawmakers this month that a Chinese attack on Taiwan threatening Japan’s survival could trigger a military response from Tokyo.

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te said Monday (November 17, 2025) that China had “severely” impacted regional peace in its row with Japan, which was sparked by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan.

Mr. Lai called on Beijing to “show restraint, act like a major power, and not become the troublemaker” in the Asia-Pacific region, where peace and stability have been “severely impacted”.

The diplomatic feud between China and Japan was ignited by Takaichi’s suggestion that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan.

China claims Taiwan is part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring the democratic island under its control.

Taiwan, which has never been ruled by communist China, was a Japanese colony for 50 years until the end of World War II.

While Japan, like most countries, does not recognise Taiwan’s claim to statehood, Tokyo and Taipei maintain close unofficial ties.

Speaking to reporters, Mr. Lai said: “China should return to the path of a rules-based international order, which would help maintain peace, stability and prosperity in the region.”

The dispute between China and Taiwan dates back to 1949 when nationalist forces fled to the island after losing the Chinese civil war to communist fighters.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday (October 29, 2025) welcomed Japan’s determination to accelerate its ongoing military buildup and defense spending.

During a visit to Japan, Mr. Hegseth said he hopes to see those pledges implemented as soon as possible, noting China’s increasingly assertive military activity.

“The threats we face are real, and they are urgent. China’s unprecedented military buildup and its aggressive military actions speak for themselves,” he said. “Make no mistake about it, our alliance is critical to deterring Chinese military aggression, to responding to regional contingencies, and keeping our countries safe.”

Mr. Hegseth said he was “glad” to see Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi — speaking alongside U.S. President Donald Trump this week — make a commitment to increase Japan’s defense spending, calling it “wonderful.”

He said the U.S. government had not demanded Japan’s spending increase.

His comment comes a day after Ms. Takaichi, who became prime minister only last week, explained to Trump during their first summit that her government will raise Japan’s defense spending to 2% of its gross national product by March, two years ahead of initially planned. Japan also plans to revise its ongoing national security strategy several years ahead of schedule.

“It’s an important step forward, and one that we hope would be implemented and believe will be as soon as possible,” Mr. Hegseth told a joint news conference after holding talks with Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi. “The result, through our shared strength, will deter threats.”

“We’re going to invest now and invest quickly while we still have time,” Mr. Hegseth said.

Mr. Koizumi welcomed the agreement between the two governments to move up deliveries of U.S.-made Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile, or AMRAAM, though he did not give further details.

Japan is seeking to create a more self-sufficient military as a deterrence against China’s increasingly assertive military activity in the region, and has concentrated on defense buildup on its southwestern islands. Japan also has concerns about the rising tensions caused by North Korea and Russia.

Japan has already moved up a planned deployment of its medium and long-range missiles such as Tomahawk and Japanese-made Tupe-12 anti-ship missiles.

These efforts mark a historic shift from Japan’s longstanding policy of limiting use of force to self-defense only under a pacifist Constitution written after World War II.

It made a major break from that policy under the 2022 security strategy that calls for more offensive roles for Japan’s Self-Defense Forces and easing restrictions on arms exports. The Takaichi government is also seeking to further relax weapons transfers.