Japan's Ukraine mission role draws criticism from China

China has expressed concern over Japan's decision to send members of its Self-Defense Forces to NATO's Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU).

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian said this at a briefing on Monday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent, CE Report quotes Ukrinform.

"China is concerned about the actions of the Japanese side, which is actively promoting remilitarization and expanding the geographical scope of its military activities. We call on the international community to remain highly vigilant regarding manifestations of new Japanese militarism," Lin said, commenting on reports that Tokyo had decided to dispatch four officers to a military base in Germany to observe NATO-led programs supporting Ukraine.

In his opinion, such steps could lead to the involvement of Japanese military personnel in actual combat operations, which, he said, contradicts Japan's pacifist commitments.

"The creation of such infrastructure under NATO's auspices undermines regional stability and does not correspond to Japan's declared status as a peaceful nation," the Chinese diplomat added.

As reported earlier, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi rejected China's accusations of "new militarism" and voiced concern over China's growing military capabilities.

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