Japan Defence Chief takes swipe at China at security meet
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- Koizumi warned at the Shangri‑La Dialogue that Japan, lacking nuclear weapons or strategic bombers, is being unfairly labeled “new militarism” by China.
- China's rapid military expansion, described by Koizumi as lacking transparency, is a “serious concern” for Japan’s security.
- Japan pledged to keep strengthening its defence capabilities—including AI, unmanned systems, cyber and space—while maintaining high transparency.
- Japan and the Philippines agreed to transfer retired Abukuma‑class destroyers and TC‑90 aircraft to Manila in fiscal year 2027.
- China sent a reduced delegation to the Shangri‑La Dialogue, omitting its defence minister for the second consecutive year.
Why it matters: Japan's defence firms stand to win contracts for AI, unmanned and cyber systems as Tokyo pledges transparent upgrades, while the Philippines will gain two destroyers and a TC‑90 aircraft by FY 2027, tightening their maritime partnership against China.
