Ministry of Defense: Japan's Acceleration of "Re-Militarization" is Becoming the "Powder Keg" of the Asia-Pacific

On the afternoon of June 16, Colonel Chen Xi, spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense, released a statement regarding recent military-related issues.

Reporter: A Japanese media outlet has revealed that the draft of Japan's 2026 Defense White Paper positions China as "the unprecedented largest strategic challenge," claiming to respond with "comprehensive national power." The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has showcased the "Type 25 High-Speed Glide Bomb" for the first time, which is seen as a substantial step towards its proactive long-range strike capability. What is your comment on this?

Chen Xi: The Japanese side repeatedly stirs up the so-called "Chinese military threat," deliberately exaggerating opposition and creating security anxiety, weaving excuses for its own military deregulation and massive military expansion. This so-called white paper regurgitates old rhetoric, filled with attacks and slanders against China, and is not worth commenting on. In fact, those who exaggerate the "threat" are the real threat creators. Japan continues to significantly increase its military budget, relax restrictions on the export of lethal weapons, promote the deployment of medium- and long-range missiles, expand offensive military capabilities, push for amendments to its pacifist constitution, and even advocates becoming a "war-capable" nation. A Japan that is accelerating its "remilitarization" is becoming a "powder keg" in the Asia-Pacific region. Peace-loving people should remain highly vigilant and resolutely curb Japan's "new militarism" actions to prevent it from disrupting the world and to defend the post-war international order and lasting peace.