Japan's Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Sunday refuted accusations of "new militarism" by Tokyo and criticised China for rapidly increasing military capabilities without transparency, underlining deepening tensions between the two nations.
China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level, Koizumi said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, adding: "China's external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community at the same time."
