Japanese Media: China Courts Allies to Criticize Japan's New Militarism, Expanding Diplomatic Front

(CNA Tokyo, June 29) -- China continues to increase diplomatic pressure on Japan's Sanae Takaichi government, actively promoting the narrative on the international stage that Japan is heading towards "new militarism." This has garnered varying degrees of support from Russia, North Korea, and friendly nations such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Mongolia. Concerns are rising that this could impact Japan's diplomatic relations with these countries.

According to a report by Nikkei, Sino-Japanese relations have continuously deteriorated since Sanae Takaichi's parliamentary response regarding Taiwan contingencies last November. The Chinese government has not only urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Japan but has also restricted the export of dual-use items, including rare earths, to Japan.

In terms of security, China has criticized the Takaichi administration's measures, such as increasing defense spending and deploying long-range missiles, labeling these security policies as "new militarism." In its foreign policy white paper released on the 17th, it warned, implicitly referring to Japan, that "militarism is resurfacing, and international security faces a fragile situation."

The report indicates that China has recently become more active in incorporating "militarism"-related discourse into its diplomatic interactions with various countries to gain international support. Among these, Russia and North Korea were the first to publicly respond.

Following a summit meeting in Beijing in May, China and Russia issued a joint statement, specifically criticizing Japan for "rapidly promoting rearmament, posing a serious threat to regional peace and stability," and demanding that Japan abandon "new militarism" and rearmament.

On the other hand, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, during an important Workers' Party of Korea meeting held from June 20th to 22nd, described Japan as "militarizing" for the first time, claiming that Japan is "openly transforming into a war-waging nation." Chinese President Xi Jinping, during his visit to North Korea in early June, called for a joint opposition to Japan's "militarism."

In addition to Russia and North Korea, countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Mongolia have also included phrases like "opposing the revival of militarism" or "condemning militarism in all its forms" in joint statements issued with China.

The joint statement issued by China and Pakistan in May stated, "firmly oppose any attempts to revive militarism." Joint statements released by China and Myanmar on June 17th, and by China and Bangladesh on June 26th, also used similar phrasing.

Following Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's visit to Mongolia from June 13th to 15th, China and Mongolia issued a joint document stating, "condemn militarism in all its forms and do not support any actions that attempt to revive militarism." Although these documents do not directly name Japan, they clearly align with China's diplomatic narrative regarding Japan.

It is noteworthy that Japan held a foreign ministers' meeting with Mongolia on June 9th, where both sides confirmed their commitment to further deepen their "Special Strategic Partnership." Mongolia's subsequent inclusion of anti-militarism discourse in a joint document with China has drawn Japan's attention.

Analysis suggests that if China continues to successfully promote the narrative of "Japan's revival of militarism" to more countries, leading to increased public support for such positions, it could weaken Japan's diplomatic space in the international community and adversely affect Japan's national interests. (Editor: Chen Cheng-kung) 1150629

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