China accused Japan on Thursday of dangerous remilitarization. This came after Tokyo moved to restore pre-World War II military ranks for officers of the Japan Self-Defence Forces.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian said in Beijing that Japan’s “neo-militarism” had become a serious concern. He stated it posed a threat to world peace and stability.
Lin was responding to Japanese media reports that Tokyo plans to revise the titles of Self-Defence Forces officers. Moreover, Tokyo aims to submit a draft amendment to the Japanese Diet within the year.
He said the move marked a breakthrough at institutional and cognitive levels. It also “rubbed salt into the wounds” of nations that suffered under Imperial Japan.
China’s National Defence Ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang said Japan was “racing headlong” toward remilitarization. He cited its revised defence export guidelines and removal of a ban on lethal weapons exports.
Zhang also criticised Japan’s new National Intelligence Council. He compared it to the wartime Special Higher Police and said the step offended people in Asian countries.
Read: Japan Rethinks Pacifism Defense Policy Amid Rising Security Concerns
China’s Foreign Ministry separately issued a working paper. It urged Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons signatories to oppose any Japanese move to acquire nuclear weapons.
The paper called on the International Atomic Energy Agency to strengthen safeguards and verification in Japan. In addition, it urged Tokyo not to develop nuclear submarines or deploy nuclear weapons on Japanese territory.
