Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning

The reactivation and rapid rise of Japan's military-industrial complex represents another major development in Japan's accelerating remilitarization. It is raising widespread concern both within Japan and across the international community, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Friday.

Mao made the remarks when asking to comment that media reports showed that according to data recently released by the Japanese government, orders from the Ministry of Defense have tripled over the past five years, making up half of the government's public procurement orders in fiscal year 2025, as a result of Japan's policy to bolster defense capabilities. The reports also note that rising demand for surface-to-air missiles, aircraft and other weapons has driven the growth.

"We have noted the reports with deep concern," said Mao, noting that Japan's military-industrial complex was once deeply embedded in its economy, hijacked state decision-making and fueled its war machine. It served as a key behind-the-scenes driver and economic base for Japan's growing military ambitions, which led eventually to full-blown militarist aggression and expansion. 

Bearing in mind the lessons of history, a series of legally binding international instruments including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation and Japan's Instrument of Surrender explicitly require Japan to be completely disarmed and not to maintain industries that would enable it to re-arm for war, Mao said.

Today, however, the Japanese government keeps easing restrictions and providing support for its military industry through allocating more funds, increasing institutional support and easing export restrictions. Senior officials of the Japanese government spare no effort to promote arms sales in the world in an attempt to develop the military industry into an economic pillar of the nation. This contravenes Japan's self-claimed image as a "pacifist nation," the Chinese spokesperson noted.

Government budget that should have been used to improve people's well-being is now used for military orders. Production lines that should have been used to produce home appliances are now churning out lethal weapons, Mao said. "Does Japan intend to return to the path of militarist expansion? All peace-loving people in the world, including the Japanese people, must stay on high alert," the spokesperson noted.

Global Times

Global Times