Japan Defends Its Defense Buildup

Japan’s defense minister Shinjiro Koizumi is countering China’s “new militarism” claims by highlighting Beijing’s own massive military expansion and lack of transparency, noting Japan’s absence of nuclear weapons or strategic bombers. At a Singapore summit, Koizumi defended Japan’s defense upgrades as necessary and peaceful, stressing transparency and dialogue. Amid rising tensions rooted in WWII history, Japan’s defense spending has hit record highs for 12 years, nearing its 2% GDP target. Prime Minister Takaichi is pushing forward with new missiles, drones, and relaxed lethal arms sales, while also seeking to revise Article Nine — sparking domestic debate and protests. Japa...