China warns of Japan’s growing militarism over nuclear policy debate

BEIJING, July 21 (YPA) – China on Tuesday warned that Japan’s growing militarism has become increasingly apparent, urging the international community to remain highly vigilant.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian made the remarks after Japan’s defense minister called for unrestricted discussions on nuclear policy.

Jian said it was highly unusual for a sitting Japanese defense minister to make provocative and dangerous statements of this nature in the post-World War II era.

According to China’s state news agency Xinhua, Jian accused Japan’s leadership of seeking to move away from the country’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles and challenge the post-war international order.

Jian also referred to remarks he made on Monday, saying calls from local governments in Japan to uphold the non-nuclear principles reflect broad public support for peace.

He argued that any move to revise those principles or allow the deployment of allied nuclear weapons on Japanese territory would undermine the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, contradict Japan’s post-war commitments, and ultimately carry significant consequences for the country.

AA