How Japan seeks to win over allies by rebutting China over military spending

AI Summary

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is countering accusations from China about Tokyo's military spending, framing it as part of necessary security reforms rather than new militarism. His remarks aim to reassure allies and shape perceptions ahead of ongoing regional security discussions.

Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi’s pushback against China signals a calculated bid to fend off accusations of Tokyo’s “new militarism” by Beijing to ensure that the label does not stick and slow Japan’s security reforms. His comments in recent weeks on separate instances are aimed at shaping the perceptions of Tokyo’s state partners, according to analysts. Speaking in his first published interview with foreign media as defence chief on June 17, Koizumi questioned the accuracy of...