Lin Jian, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, hosted a regular press conference on December 26.
It is reported that on December 26, Japan’s Cabinet approved the defense budget proposal for the fiscal year 2026, with a total value exceeding 9 trillion Japanese Yen (approximately 58 billion US Dollars). Should the proposal be adopted by Japan’s National Diet early next year, Japan’s defense budget will hit a new record high. A journalist asked the Chinese side to comment on this matter.
Lin Jian stated: We have noted the relevant reports. Recently, the international community has kept voicing criticisms over Japan’s military and security moves. Instead of reflecting on and curbing such moves, the Japanese side plans to substantially raise its defense budget again, which further exposes the malicious intentions of Japan’s right-wing forces to push for Japan’s remilitarization and attempt to revive militarism.
Given the countless aggressive crimes committed by Japanese militarism in history, Japan’s military and security developments have long been a major concern of its Asian neighbors and the international community. Since the new Japanese government took office, it has markedly accelerated the pace of military build-up and expansion. From Prime Minister Takashi Takaichi’s erroneous remarks on Taiwan and military threats against China, to senior officials of the Japanese Prime Minister’s Office making remarks advocating nuclear armament, and to the push to revise the three security documents as well as floating the idea of revising the three non-nuclear principles, Japan is departing from the path of peaceful development it has always claimed to pursue, and is straying further down a dangerous road.
In recent years, Japan has loosened restrictions on its exercise of the right of collective self-defense, developed the so-called capability to strike enemy bases, strengthened cooperation on extended deterrence, and built coastal islands into forward military positions. All these acts have clearly gone far beyond the scope of Japan’s stated policy of exclusive defense. The pretexts of “defense” and “counterattack” have been exploited by Japan’s right-wing forces to stir up public sentiment, mislead public opinion, and break through the post-war international order and the provisions of Japan’s Constitution. Such developments have aroused grave vigilance of the international community.
The Japanese people are also victims of militarism. I have noted that insightful individuals in Japan have pointed out that increasing defense expenditure will not bring peace and stability. Recently, citizens have held rallies in various parts of Japan to strongly protest against the Japanese government’s military expansion drive. Scholars have also pointed out that the rising defense spending will impose an extremely heavy burden on Japan’s economy, which will ultimately be borne by ordinary Japanese people.
China will stand together with all peace-loving countries to firmly deter any dangerous acts aimed at reviving militarism and shaping a new form of militarism, and jointly uphold the outcomes of the victory in the World War II.
