Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi denied allegations of 'new militarism' during a recent speech, emphasizing Japan's 'peace-loving' nature. He criticized China's 'huge arsenal' and called for dialogue to prevent escalation. The comments come amid heightened tensions over Japan's military build-up and China's assertive posture in the Indo-Pacific. Analysts suggest this could signal a shift in Japan's defense policy, balancing its constitutional constraints with security needs.

