Speaking at the 23rd IISS Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on 31 May 2026, Japan’s Minister of Defense, Koizumi Shinjirō, outlined Tokyo’s approach to regional security, deterrence, and cooperation amid growing geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific.
Koizumi said Japan’s defence policy is not based on identifying any specific country as a threat or pursuing military confrontation. However, he described China’s expanding military capabilities, rising defence spending, and limited transparency as matters of “serious concern” for Japan and the wider international community.
Rejecting accusations from Beijing that Japan is embracing “new militarism”, Koizumi argued that such criticism overlooks China’s own military development. “There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’,” he said.
Despite heightened tensions between Tokyo and Beijing, Koizumi stressed the importance of continued engagement, stating that Japan’s “door is always open” to dialogue. He also expressed disappointment that he was unable to meet Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun at the forum.
Emphasising cooperation among allies and partners, Koizumi said that “division weakens deterrence, unity strengthens deterrence,” warning that fractures between the United States, Europe, and like-minded countries could create opportunities for coercion and instability. He highlighted expanded defence cooperation through the Quad, as well as Japan’s growing security partnerships across the Indo-Pacific.
Koizumi concluded by reaffirming support for a free and open Indo-Pacific, stating: “We seek a region that can stand against coercion. We seek a region that is not misled by falsehoods. We seek a region that is not influenced by pressure.” He added that preserving such a region is a responsibility that must be shared and passed on to future generations.
ℹ️ The International Institute for Strategic Studies
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