Japan rejects China’s assertion that Tokyo is moving toward “new militarism,” with its defense minister calling the claim hypocritical and accusing Beijing of accelerating its own military build-up. Shinjiro Koizumi, Japan’s Defense Minister, says Japan is not taking on “new militarism” and argues that China’s stance is driven by concern about its own military activities rather than Japan’s policies. In his remarks, Koizumi also criticizes Beijing for rapid arming, presenting it as a serious issue for Japan and the international community. The dispute reflects heightened tensions over regional security and military posture, as both countries exchange sharp statements. Multiple reports describe Koizumi’s response as among the strongest yet to China’s criticism, emphasizing Japan’s rejection of the label while directly challenging China’s motivations. While the outlets differ slightly in wording, they present the same core positions: Japan dismisses the “new militarism” characterization and instead points to what it describes as China’s faster military advancement.