Japanese expert warns against Japan's military expansion

A Japanese legal expert has voiced concerns over the country’s ongoing military expansion, particularly its efforts to revise three key security documents.

Akiyoshi Takanashi, head of the Association of Citizens in Kanagawa to Think About the Education of History, criticized Japan's recent moves to increase defense spending in a June 4 interview with China Central Television (CCTV) in Tokyo.

"Since the [Sanae] Takaichi administration took office, there have been attempts to amend the three security documents. At the same time, there is a push to further increase defense spending. Last year, a proposal was made in the Diet to raise defense spending to 2 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product), and now there is a move toward increasing it to 3.5 percent of the GDP. An expert meeting is expected soon, with discussions planned for this summer, aiming for a revision to be completed by December. This timeline has already been announced, and I believe this process must be stopped at all costs," he said.

Takanashi warned that continuously increasing the defense budget would further squeeze funding for people's livelihoods, ultimately impacting ordinary citizens' daily lives.

"If the defense budget is increased to 3.5 percent of the GDP, budgets for social welfare, medical care, and other areas closely related to people's daily lives will continue to be cut. This is also very clear from a historical perspective. Our lives will become more difficult and various negative consequences will surely follow," he said.

The expert also expressed concern that Japan is trying to position its military industry as a new driver of economic growth, criticizing the lack of sufficient Diet deliberation and public oversight in the decision-making process.

"Because this would mean the unconditional and continuous export of lethal weapons, which I believe is absolutely unacceptable. Moreover, decisions regarding arms exports are not made through Diet deliberation. Instead, they are made independently by the Cabinet and implemented. This not only violates democratic principles, but is also unacceptable in itself," Takanashi said.

Japanese expert warns against Japan's military expansion

Chinese goods are winning growing recognition worldwide, despite a complex and severe international political and economic landscape, Commerce Ministry spokesman He Yadong said at a press conference in Beijing on Thursday.

He said that since the beginning of this year, China's foreign trade has withstood the pressure of complex and severe international political and economic situations, maintaining a sound momentum of steady progress.

According to He, China's foreign trade in goods amounted to 20.68 trillion yuan (about 2.9 trillion U.S. dollars) in the first five months of this year, up 15.3 percent year on year.

"Chinese goods are stable in supply, reliable in quality, and advanced in technology, with growing global recognition. From January to May, the export of mechanical and electrical products increased by 18.4 percent, accounting for over 63 percent of China's total export value in the same period. The export of integrated circuits performed strongly, and the 'new trio' namely, electric vehicles, lithium-ion batteries, and photovoltaic products have continued to lead the global market," He said.

"China continues to deeply engage in the global market, and its trade layout has become more balanced and stable. From January to May, China's imports from and exports with Belt and Road partners increased by 13.6 percent, accounting for more than ‌51 percent‌ of China 's total foreign trade. Trade with ASEAN, Africa, and Latin America all maintained double-digit growth. China's 'circle of friends' for all-win cooperation continues to expand," said the spokesman.

Chinese products increasingly gain global recognition: commerce ministry