Tokyo, February 27 – Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has responded to China's criticism of Tokyo's efforts to strengthen its defense capabilities, local media reported on Friday.
In response to questions about the Japanese government's decision to eliminate restrictions on the transfer of defense equipment to five non-combat purposes – rescue, transport, warning, surveillance, and mine sweeping – Koizumi said, "It appears that China is engaged in a propaganda campaign against us, as if Japan is becoming militaristic," according to Kyodo News.
Speaking to reporters, Koizumi stated that the government's decision was largely driven by the growing security threat posed by China, citing data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.
Koizumi said that China's arms exports from 2015 to 2024 were worth approximately USD 17 billion, "making it the fourth-largest arms exporter in the world, while Japan is not even in the top 50."
China has criticized Japan and imposed several economic measures after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggested in parliament in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a response from Japan's Self-Defense Forces. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and insists on its reunification with the mainland, by force if necessary.
"In the current security situation, it is essential for us to develop our own defense capabilities without relying on a particular country (for parts procurement)," Koizumi said, according to Kyodo News.
In December last year, Japan's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Kazuyuki Yamazaki, wrote a letter to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, where he termed China's criticism of Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan as "inconsistent with the facts and unsubstantiated and unacceptable."
In response to China's letter delivered to UN Secretary-General, Yamazaki Kazuyuki stated, "As with China's previous letter dated 21 November, the assertions contained therein are inconsistent with the facts, unsubstantiated, and are categorically unacceptable. Japan's position is as set out in my letter of 24 November addressed to your Excellency and attached hereto. Nevertheless, based on the instruction from the Japanese Government, I wish to share once again Japan's views with your Excellency."
"Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has consistently respected and adhered to international law, including the UN Charter, and has actively contributed to maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order underpinned by the rule of law, as well as to the sustainable development of the international community. This unwavering posture of Japan is well recognized across the international community. Japan will continue, as a peace-loving nation, to contribute to international peace, stability, and prosperity, in full accordance with international law," he added.
He stated that Japan believes that differences of opinions should be addressed through dialogue and expressed Tokyo's willingness to respond through dialogue. Yamazaki Kazuyuki's letter to the UN came as China has been criticising Takaichi for her statement in parliament on November 7, where she said that an attack on Taiwan could constitute an existential threat to Japan and warrant a response by its Self-Defense Forces, Japan's leading news agency Kyodo News reported.
Yamazaki Kazuyuki's latest letter to UN came after China's Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong wrote a second letter to Guterres, warning that "the international community must remain highly vigilant against Japan's ambitions to expand its military capabilities and revive militarism."