Beijing warns against Japan's 'new militarism'

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman Chen Xi has warned that Japan's "new militarism" is becoming increasingly apparent, saying the country's military expansion poses a danger that regional countries must guard against.

Chen made the remarks on Friday in response to reports that Japan's Defense Ministry plans to request about 8.9 trillion yen ($56 billion) for fiscal year 2027, which would mark another record high.

Saturday marks the 81st anniversary of Japan's announcement of its unconditional surrender in World War II.

"Eighty-one years ago, Japan announced its unconditional surrender after being struck hard by China and other anti-fascist forces around the world," Chen said.

Japanese militarism once plunged the whole of Asia into an abyss of bloodshed and disaster, committing atrocities including the Nanjing Massacre, the Bataan Death March and the construction of the Death Railway between Thailand and Myanmar, he said.

These atrocities brought immense suffering to people across Asia and beyond, while the Japanese people themselves also suffered, he added.

However, Japan has failed to genuinely learn the lessons of history since its defeat, Chen said. It has long tolerated right-wing forces that distort or deny its wartime aggression and has sought to break away from the constraints of its pacifist Constitution and exclusively defense-oriented policy, he said.

Recently, Japan has used alleged "external threats" as a pretext to sharply increase defense spending, develop offensive capabilities and expand its defense industry, Chen said.

"Japan's 'new militarism' has laid bare its true ambition, and the danger it poses must not be overlooked," Chen said.

"Historical truth must not be forgotten, and justice and peace must not be desecrated," he added.

Chen urged Japan to deeply reflect on and atone for its wartime crimes, strictly abide by the postwar international order and stop its dangerous moves toward remilitarization.

"If Japan goes down the wrong path again, it will only suffer a more painful defeat and face a more thorough reckoning," he said.