![Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro. [EPA]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/01/news-p.v1.20260601.00832a125bb547e98961111f2ca14d31_P1.jpg)
Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro sidestepped a question from a Chinese military delegate about whether Japan would apologize for war crimes committed during World War II, pivoting instead to criticize China's opaque military expansion and activities as a greater cause for concern.
According to China's state broadcaster CGTN, the exchange took place Saturday at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia's premier security summit, held in Singapore. Col. Shen Zhixiong of the People's Liberation Army National Defense University, speaking as part of the PLA delegation, said he had observed Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae recently paying her respects at the Australian War Memorial to soldiers killed during World War II as a result of Japanese militarism, and asked whether Japan was prepared to offer a formal apology.
On May 4, Prime Minister Takaichi had knelt and laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra during an official visit to Australia.
![Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae kneels to lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier in Canberra, Australia, on May 4. [AP]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/01/news-p.v1.20260601.d2da9a97aab449878256d00c4abda2e2_P1.jpg)
Col. Shen said Asian nations that suffered under Japanese wartime conduct had received no apology or expression of remorse from Japan. "China believes that genuine reconciliation must be built on honestly confronting history and treating all victim nations equally," he said.
He asked whether the Japanese government was prepared to address the concerns of China, South Korea and Southeast Asian nations over World War II history "in an equally serious and unambiguous manner," and whether Japan could help create the conditions for mutual trust and regional security.
Koizumi responded by saying it was time to move to "the difficult part" — and immediately went on the offensive over China's military posture.
"As you know, Japan's defense policy and defense buildup are not based on the idea of designating any particular country or region as a threat or seeking military confrontation," he said. "China, by contrast, continues to increase already-high levels of defense spending and is rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of domains without sufficient transparency."
He also said China's external approach and military activities "are a serious concern for Japan and the international community."
![[Reuters]](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/06/01/news-p.v1.20260601.be8952da35e34c9287b6736e8eec6870_P1.jpg)
Koizumi avoided a direct answer on an apology, pointing instead to open lines of communication between the two countries.
"As I told Defense Minister Dong Jun at the Japan-China defense ministers' meeting in Malaysia last November, it is essential for Japan to engage in persistent and candid dialogue and communication without turning away from specific and difficult issues, precisely because challenges exist," he said. The remarks appeared to signal that regional security tensions — framed as "challenges" rather than threats — should also be on the table in any bilateral discussions.
He added that "Japan's door is always open" and that the Defense Ministry would use every available channel and opportunity to communicate formally with the Chinese side. "Please pass on my regards to my counterpart, Defense Minister Dong Jun," he said.
ygmoon@heraldcorp.com
