Japan defence minister rebuffs claims of โnew militarismโ levelled by China
Shinjiro Koizumi says Japan valued as a โpeace-lovingโ nation while China expands military capabilities โwithout sufficient transparencyโ Japanโs defence minister took a veiled swipe at China on Sunday, pledging to keep strengthening the military despite Beijingโs criticism of Tokyoโs increasingly muscular security stance. Under the prime minister, Sanae Takaichi, Japan has quickened its pivot to a more proactive defence policy, further shaking off โ with US encouragement โ its pacifist outlook in place since the end of the second world war. Continue reading...