Photo shows the Haguro Aegis-equipped destroyer of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force in Tokyo Bay off Yokohama on March 19, 2021. Photo: VCG

The US announced approval of an arms sale to Japan to provide support for Japanese Aegis class destroyers on Tuesday. Amid Japan’s recent consecutive military expansion moves and Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's erroneous remarks on the Taiwan question, a Chinese expert noted that Japan is attempting to rearm itself, undermining the post-war international order, warning that the US should not indulge this trend. 

The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan for Aegis Class Destroyer Support and related equipment for an estimated cost of $100.2 million, according to a new release published on the website of the US’ Defense Security Cooperation Agency on Tuesday local time.

According to the release, Japanese government has requested to buy follow-on technical support of Aegis class destroyers, including Combat Systems Sea Qualification Trials, test and evaluation services; sustainment support and services; Aegis computer software updates; systems integration and testing, with an estimated total cost of $100.2 million.

Zhang Junshe, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Wednesday that Japan has been pushing forward in developing aggressive weapons in recent years, including developing missiles with ranges exceeding 1,000 kilometers and refitting helicopter destroyers into full aircraft carriers. Upgrading the Aegis class destroyers is a part of this military expansion scheme. 

Aegis system is capable of detecting aerial targets and guiding shipborne missiles, the expert said, pointing out that the US has announced selling Tomahawk cruise missiles to Japan, which could be equipped on Japanese warships.

The US move is indulging Japan to break away from its pacifist constitution and to serve as an assistant of the US’ so-called “Indo-Pacific” strategy. However, the rearmament of Japan, an aggressor and a defeated country in WWII, is prohibited by both Japan’s domestic pacifist constitution and international documents including the Potsdam Proclamation, Zhang said, stressing that Japan’s development and deployment of aggressive weapons are undermining the post-war international order.

In response to the US’ approval of Japan’s request to buy 400 Tomahawk missiles, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a regular press conference on November 20, 2023 that in recent years, to seek unilateral military advantage, the US has been reinforcing military cooperation with its allies, allowing and supporting Japan to breach commitments under the pacifist constitution and move further down the path of military expansion.

The moves by the US and Japan exacerbate the momentum of an arms race, affect peace and stability in the region, seriously disrupt global strategic balance and stability and undermine the international order underpinned by the international law, Mao said.

For historic reasons, Japan’s military and security moves have been closely watched by its Asian neighbors and the international community. The US and Japan need to respect security concerns of Asian countries and be prudent with their words and actions on military and security issues, said the spokesperson.