China slams US, Japan for justifying Tokyo's arms export

In response to recent statements by Tokyo and Washington justifying Japan's proposed arms exports to other countries, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Tuesday that once the "Pandora's box" of militarism is opened, no one can remain unaffected, and it will ultimately backfire.

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi remarked on social media that, amid the most severe security environment since the end of World War II, enhancing deterrence for defense and preventing conflicts before they arise is the very essence of revising Japan's "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology".

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently publicly welcomed Japan's revision of the "Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology", stating his support for Japan's expansion of military cooperation.

In response, Mao said at a daily press conference in Beijing that hyping external threats and seeking excuses to expand military forces and prepare for war are typical tactics of Japanese militarism.

"Japan is lifting of the ban on exports of lethal weapons, strengthening of its defense industry, and accelerating the shift of its security policy toward an offensive stance — this series of dangerous developments bears a striking resemblance to the process of militarism preparing for war before World War II," she said.