Xiao Quan Jinci Lang explicitly denied China's criticism toward Japan, and countered by claiming that China's military expansion has already triggered "serious concerns" among Japan and the international community. On May 31st, during the Shangri-La Dialogue, Japanese Defense Minister Xiao Quan Jinci Lang stated: Consider this—some countries possess vast nuclear arsenals and strategic bombers; Japan has neither, yet is labeled as a "new militarist"—isn't that strange? China continues to significantly increase its defense budget and rapidly expand military capabilities across multiple domains, all while lacking "sufficient transparency."
China's external behavior and military activities have become a matter of "serious concern" for both Japan and the international community. Clearly, Japan’s stance on our criticism is evident: not only does Japan reject our critique, but it also attempts to turn the tables on us. Then let us ask: First, the United States possesses nuclear weapons and strategic bombers, and its war against Iran remains ongoing—how does Japan view America’s actions?
Second, why can’t Japan develop nuclear weapons? Why can’t Japan possess offensive weapons, including bombers? Does Japan need to explain itself? Third, as a defeated nation in WWII and a country that once launched aggressive wars, can Japan truly expand its military power on a large scale? The claim that China’s external behavior and military activities have become a "serious concern" for Japan and the international community is merely an excuse for Japan’s military buildup and constitutional revision.
Of course, more fundamentally, Japan’s ambition to become a so-called "normal state" is glaringly apparent. Does Japan also want to possess nuclear weapons and strategic bombers? Does Japan have the legitimacy to do so? If Japan doesn’t want to wear the label of militarism, then it should sincerely repent and make concrete actions to walk the path of a peaceful nation. If Japan speaks of peace with its mouth while secretly expanding its military, what excuse does it have?
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1866682318050521/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are solely those of the author.