China urges rejection of ‘Japanese neo-militarism’ as Tokyo seeks to ease defense equipment exports

ISTANBUL

China on Wednesday urged the international community to reject what it called “Japanese neo-militarism” as Tokyo moves to ease restrictions on defense equipment exports.

Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party on Wednesday approved a draft proposal to abolish a restriction that limits the transfer of the country’s defense equipment to five non-lethal categories, according to public broadcaster NHK.

Outbound shipments are currently limited to five equipment categories, such as rescue and transport, but the draft proposes expanding them to include items with lethal capabilities.

The proposal states that recipient countries must have a defense equipment and technology transfer agreement with Japan, and that countries involved in active conflicts would generally be excluded unless special circumstances apply.

Responding to the development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said on Wednesday that Beijing expressed “serious concern over the move.”

“The latest move has once again laid bare the Japanese right-wing forces’ ambitions to breach the postwar international order, break free from domestic laws and remilitarize Japan,” she added.

“The international community needs to stay on high alert, jointly safeguard the outcomes of the victory in WW II and the post-war international order, and firmly reject reckless moves of Japanese neo-militarism,” said Mao.

Tensions between China and Japan have escalated since last November, when Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said a Chinese attack on Taiwan could legally constitute a “survival-threatening situation,” potentially allowing Japan to exercise the right of collective self-defense.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province, though it has governed itself since 1949. Beijing has vowed to reunify the island, including by force if necessary.

The remarks triggered a backlash from China.