China accuses Japan’s defence minister of spreading “baseless” claims and sowing confusion, after comments by Shinjiro Koizumi during a security-related discussion. According to the reports, Koizumi, on Sunday, pledged to keep strengthening Japan’s military and warned that China is expanding its capabilities without sufficient transparency. Beijing’s new criticism comes a day after Koizumi made what both outlets describe as a veiled swipe at China.
The accusation is set against an ongoing diplomatic dispute between the two Asian rivals. The disagreement includes earlier statements by Japan’s political leadership that Beijing says heighten tensions. One disputed development mentioned by the sources is a November remark attributed to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi suggesting Japan could intervene militarily if China attempts to seize Taiwan, an island claimed by Beijing and governed separately.
Across the coverage, both outlets link China’s response to Koizumi’s latest remarks and characterize the broader context as a months-long deterioration in relations, with competing concerns over regional security, military transparency, and the Taiwan issue.
