China's Foreign Ministry Denounces Japan's 'Neo-Militarism', Cites Record ¥9T Defense Budget

China's Foreign Ministry and state media published coordinated statements labeling Japan's defense buildup 'neo-militarism' and calling for 'concrete action' to curb Japan's remilitarization. The statements referenced Japan's FY2026 defense budget of ¥9.035 trillion (~$57.8 billion) — a 12th consecutive record high and the first year exceeding ¥9 trillion — as evidence Japan was 'peeling away its peaceful nation disguise.' The condemnations came amid ongoing Chinese coast guard presence near the Senkaku Islands, where Japanese authorities had counted 341 days of incursions in the previous annual count, and ahead of the Trump–Xi summit in Beijing. Japan's five-year defense buildup program targets 2.0% of GDP by FY2027, which Beijing views as a fundamental threat to regional stability.