Japan defence minister rebuffs claims of ‘new militarism’ levelled by China

Japan's defense minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, rejects China's accusations of 'new militarism', emphasizing Japan's commitment to being a 'peace-loving' nation while criticizing China's military expansion as lacking transparency. Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan is adopting a more proactive defense policy with US support, moving away from its post-WWII pacifist stance.