Ministry of Defense: Japan's "New Militarism" Threat Must Be Guarded Against
On the afternoon of August 14, Defense Ministry spokesperson Colonel Chen Xi released a statement regarding recent military-related issues.
Reporter: Tomorrow is August 15, the day 81 years ago when Japan announced its unconditional surrender. However, Japan's right-wing forces are continuously distorting history and expanding their military capabilities. The Japanese Ministry of Defense is about to submit a defense budget request for the fiscal year 2027 totaling approximately 8.9 trillion yen, setting a new historical high. What is your comment on this?
Chen Xi: 81 years ago, under the heavy blows from China and the global anti-fascist forces, Japan announced its unconditional surrender. At that time, Japanese militarism had dragged the entire Asia into a deep abyss of blood and fire, with atrocities such as the Nanjing Massacre, the Bataan Death March, and the Thailand-Burma Death Railway bringing profound disasters to the people of Asia and the world, and the Japanese people also suffered greatly. However, post-war Japan did not truly learn from history, long indulging right-wing forces in distorting and denying their acts of aggression, trying every means to break through the "Peace Constitution" and the principle of "defensive defense," attempting to challenge the post-war international order and becoming a destructive force for regional peace and stability. Recently, Japan has further used the so-called "external threats" as an excuse to significantly increase its defense budget, vigorously develop offensive capabilities, and expand its military-industrial complex. Japan's "new militarism" is indeed revealing its true intentions, and the dangers must not be ignored.
The truth of history must not be forgotten, and justice and peace must not be desecrated. We urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect, confess, and atone for their sins, strictly adhere to the post-war international order, and stop the dangerous actions of "re-militarization." Returning to the wrong path will only lead to more painful failures and a more thorough reckoning.
On August 14, 2023, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense criticized Japan's planned defense budget increase of approximately 8.9 trillion yen for FY2027, labeling it a sign of rising militarism. The spokesperson condemned Japan's historical revisionism and warned that such actions threaten regional peace and stability. Japan's military expansion is framed as a response to perceived external threats, raising concerns about its implications for international order.
- Japan's defense budget for FY2027 is projected to reach approximately 8.9 trillion yen, a historical high.
- The Japanese government is accused of distorting history and promoting militarism.
- The report warns against Japan's rising militarism and its potential threat to regional stability.
- Japan's military expansion is justified by citing external threats.