Published: 16:37, February 3, 2026 | Updated: 16:52, February 3, 2026
Beijing warns Tokyo's remilitarization agenda is 'concrete' fact
By Zhang Yunbi
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, speaks at a regular press conference in Beijing, China, Jan 2, 2026. (PHOTO / FOREIGN MINISTRY, CHINA)

Japan's accelerated remilitarization is a reality involving "concrete plans and actions", China's Foreign Ministry warned on Tuesday.

The remarks came after Sergei Shoigu, secretary of Russia's Security Council, had told China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Sunday that his country firmly opposes Japan's renewed efforts to remilitarize.

ALSO READ: Japan's remilitarization threatens Asia-Pacific stability, says Lavrov

On Tuesday, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian, while insisting that "the lessons of history" must be taken into account, said that post-war Japan has never made a complete break with militarism, noting that the Yasukuni Shrine still honours 14 Class-A war criminals.

Right-wing forces in Japan have attempted to downplay and whitewash the facts of its history of aggression via methods such as the revision of history textbooks, Lin added.

READ MORE: Japan's remilitarization 'threatens' Southeast Asia

Lin said Japan has accelerated its military build-up in recent times, with its defense budget having increased for 14 years in-a-row, while officials in Tokyo have openly argued for nuclear armament.

"China and all peace-loving nations must join hands to thwart the ambitions of Japan's right-wing forces in advancing remilitarization, and jointly safeguard the outcomes of World War II and the hard-won world peace," he added.