China urges Japan to make 'clean break' with militarism

A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman urged Japan to make a "clean break" with militarism on Friday.

Zhang Xiaogang made the remarks during an online news briefing in response to Japan's recent security policy moves, including the passing by Japan's House of Councillors of the fiscal budget for 2026, which includes a record-high defense expenditure exceeding 9 trillion yen ($56.5 billion).

It has also been reported that the Japanese government planned to officially revise the Three Principles on Transfer of Defense Equipment and Technology this month, which would allow, in principle, for the export of lethal weapons.

Zhang said that there have been various indicators that right-wing forces in Japan are pushing for a more offensive and expansionist military policy.

"Their acts have gravely violated instruments with legal effect under international law, such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and the Japanese Instrument of Surrender, gone against Japan's own Constitution and norms, and posed a serious threat to the post-war international order and regional peace and stability," he said.

The lessons of the past are still fresh, said Zhang, noting that while Japanese militarism once inflicted untold suffering on the region and beyond, a reckoning with these actions was never attempted after World War II.

The Defense Ministry spokesman said Japan has now completely stripped away pretense and accelerated its pace of re-militarization, sparking deep concern and condemnation around the world.

"We urge the Japanese side to stop its retrogressive moves and make a clean break with militarism. Otherwise, it will lose the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community," Zhang said.