China has expressed deep concern over Japan’s recent military and security developments, following a series of remarks and policy signals from senior Japanese government officials that Beijing views as alarming and destabilizing for the region.
During a press briefing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded to questions regarding Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s refusal to clarify whether her administration remains committed to Japan’s long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles. These principles—non-possession, non-production, and non-introduction of nuclear weapons—have been central to Japan’s post-war defense posture.
Reports from Tokyo indicate that when asked in the Diet about the possibility of acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Japan has not ruled out any options. Additionally, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi publicly called for Japan to consider adding nuclear-powered submarines to its fleet. Parallel to these remarks, the ruling Liberal Democratic Party and the Japan Innovation Party have begun discussions on amending Article 9 of Japan's Constitution, which renounces war and prohibits the threat or use of force to settle international disputes. The talks also include the potential introduction of an emergency clause.
Lin Jian stated that China is seriously concerned about these developments. He stressed that while Japan portrays itself as a peace-loving country and publicly promotes a world free of nuclear weapons, the Takaichi administration has been issuing ambiguous signals regarding its commitment to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Statements by senior Japanese officials implying openness to nuclear submarine capabilities, he said, represent a major negative policy shift and send dangerous signals to the international community.
The spokesperson also invoked the historical context of Japan’s actions during World War II. He emphasized that Japanese militarists committed extensive war crimes and caused immense suffering across Asia. Lin noted that in recent years, Japan has been widening its security ambitions by boosting defense spending, easing restrictions on arms exports, and pursuing offensive military capabilities. These moves, he argued, indicate that Japan is accelerating its military buildup in a concerning direction.
Lin highlighted that Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan, which he described as provocative, implied possible Japanese involvement in a Taiwan Strait contingency. Such comments, according to China, raise doubts among neighboring countries and the broader international community over Japan’s true intentions. China questioned whether Japan has genuinely severed ties with its militarist past, whether it remains committed to an exclusively defense-oriented policy, and whether it still intends to abide by the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and its pledge to peaceful development.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan. Lin urged Japan to sincerely reflect on its history of aggression, adhere to peaceful development, stop seeking justifications for its military expansion, and take concrete steps to regain the trust of its Asian neighbors and the international community.
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