China slams Japan's 'dangerous move' of deploying offensive weapons

China

China slams Japan's 'dangerous move' of deploying offensive weapons

2026-04-01 16:41 Last Updated At：22:27

China on Wednesday slammed Japan's move of deploying offensive weapons, calling the deployment extremely dangerous and urging the international community to stay vigilant.

On Tuesday, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities had been deployed in Kumamoto and Shizuoka prefectures, a move that has sparked domestic opposition.

Demonstrations were held in Japan on Tuesday evening as Japanese citizens voiced strong opposition to the government's decision to deploy long-range missiles in the country.

"Japan is deploying offensive weapons under the guise of 'defense' and 'counterattack', which clearly exceeds the scope of its 'self-defense' and 'exclusively defense-oriented' policy. This constitutes a severe violation of provisions in instruments with legal effect under international law, including the [1943] Cairo Declaration, the [1945] Potsdam Proclamation and the [1945] Japanese Instrument of Surrender, and of Japan's own Constitution and existing domestic norms. This once again demonstrates that the far-right forces in Japan are pushing the country's security and defense policies towards an offensive and expansionist direction. Japan's neo-militarism is posing a threat to regional peace and stability, and the international community should remain highly vigilant about this," said Mao Ning, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, at a press conference in Beijing.

"I have also noticed that many Japanese civil groups and individuals have clearly expressed their opposition. Not long ago, a Japanese Self-Defense Forces (SDF) officer illegally entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan with a knife. Instead of reflecting on the SDF's own serious deficiencies in control and management, the Japanese side has been busy hyping up 'external threats' and accelerating military expansion. This behavior is extremely dangerous. We solemnly urge the Japanese side to deeply reflect on its history of militarist aggression, strictly abide by its commitments in the military and security fields, and act with prudence," she said.

New school year begins in southern Lebanon, with classrooms doubling as shelters

The new school year in southern Lebanon's Nabatieh governorate has started with classrooms serving both as learning spaces and shelters for families displaced by Israeli attacks.

In the southern town of Froun, Bint Jbeil District, a local public school has been converted into a combined educational and shelter facility ahead of the school year's start.

Ghina Ammash, a displaced student living in the school with her family, shared her hopes for the year despite the difficult circumstances.

"We hope it will be a good school year, but we're staying here because we have no other choice. We want to study, succeed, and work when we grow up, and we hope it will be a good school year," said Ammash, a student at the Froun Intermediate Public School.

School principal Abbas Makki outlined the challenges the faculty and students face as displacement continues in Froun.

"Our student enrollment has dropped by half, and the start of the school year was chaotic. There are students who enrolled here but are unable to secure housing, though they were promised accommodation would be provided for them. We insisted on starting the school year despite the presence of displaced people so no one is shortchanged. We have set aside one floor for housing and another for teaching," said Makki.

In Nabatieh, the school year opened amid fears of further attacks and forced displacement, with some schools damaged or unusable.

Isaac Muhammad Hammoud, a local high school teacher, noted the staff's determination.

"Despite the many challenges we face this year - starting with our move from the main building of Hassan Kamel Al-Sabah High School to the Nabatieh Vocational School building - the teachers' determination to persevere and their sense of responsibility have driven them to overcome these hardships and show up to deliver their message," said Hammoud, who works at the Hassan Kamel al-Sabbah High School.

"There are many difficulties we face. The situation isn't good. We move about cautiously, never knowing when the enemy will attack, and we are displaced. Distance learning isn't enough, in-person learning works better," said Aya Zaitoun, a student at the shool.