Ministry of National Defense- Japan should stop engaging in exclusive military alliances and -small circles-

On October 15, during a press briefing, Major General Wu Qian, the Director of the Information Bureau of the Ministry of National Defense and spokesperson for the ministry, addressed recent military-related issues.

A reporter raised the question regarding Japan’s new Prime Minister, Shigeru Ishiba, who suggested the need for an “Asian version of NATO” to work with Western countries to “contain China.” The reporter also mentioned that officials from Japan’s Ministry of Defense expressed concerns about incursions into Japanese airspace by China and Russia, stating this as a key issue of concern for both the region and the international community. What is China’s comment on this?

In response, Wu Qian stated that Japan is ignoring the facts, inflating a non-existent “China threat” to shift the international community’s attention away from Japan’s military expansion, which China firmly opposes. He emphasized that over recent years, Japan has repeatedly pushed the boundaries of its pacifist constitution and its “defense-only” policy while significantly ramping up its military capabilities, which has raised serious alarm among its neighbors in Asia and the broader international community.

Wu urged Japan to cease the formation of exclusive military alliances and “small circles,” advising them to approach military security with caution and to engage in actions that contribute to maintaining regional peace and stability.