Japan's remilitarization turning it into Asia-Pacific 'powder keg'

China's Ministry of National Defense on Tuesday criticized Japan's latest defense policy moves, saying Japan's accelerating remilitarization is turning the country into a "powder keg."

The remarks were made by Senior Colonel Chen Xi, spokesperson for the Chinese defense ministry, in response to reports that the outline of Japan's Defense White Paper 2026 characterizes China as "an unprecedented and greatest strategic challenge" and says Tokyo will counter it with "comprehensive national strength." The question also referred to the recent display by the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Force of its Type 25 high-speed glide bomb, which is considered a substantive step by Japan toward developing proactive long-range strike capabilities. 

According to Chen, Japan has repeatedly peddled the narrative of a so-called China military threat, deliberately stoked confrontation and created security anxieties in order to fabricate excuses for itself to break free from restrictions on its defense forces and seek a massive military buildup.

He said that the Japanese side repeats its attacks and smears against China in this so-called white paper, which is not worth commenting on. As a matter of fact, those who claim to be threatened are the real source of the threat, he added.

Chen said Japan has drastically increased its defense spending, eased restrictions on exports of lethal weapons, pushed forward the deployment of intermediate and long-range missiles, expanded offensive military capabilities, sought to revise its pacifist constitution, and even clamored to be a "war-capable" nation.

He warned that a Japan accelerating its remilitarization is becoming a powder keg for the Asia-Pacific region, adding that peace-loving people need to remain highly vigilant and take firm action to curb the reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism, prevent it from wreaking havoc on the world, and defend the post-war international order and enduring peace.