Japan defence minister denies militarism, criticises China's 'huge arsenal'

Japan defence minister denies militarism, criticises China's 'huge arsenal'15 minutes agoShareSaveAdd as preferred on GoogleTessa WongAsia Digital Reporter, Shangri-la Dialogue, SingaporeWatch: Japan Defence Minister Koizumi rejects 'new militarism' claimJapan's defence minister has rebutted Beijing's claim that his country is engaging in a "new militarism" - criticising China for its military expansion and lack of transparency.Speaking on the last day of a defence summit in Singapore, Shinjiro... Shinjiro Koizumi says Japan valued as a ‘peace-loving’ nation while China expands military capabilities ‘without sufficient transparency’Japan’s defence minister took a veiled swipe at China on Sunday, pledging to keep strengthening the military despite Beijing’s criticism of Tokyo’s increasingly muscular security stance.Under the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, Japan has quickened its pivot to a more proactive defence policy, further shaking off – with US encouragement – its pacifist outlook in...