China criticizes Japan's expansion of long-range strike capabilities

China’s defence ministry spokesman Zhang Xiaogang highlighted the two initiatives on Thursday, saying Japan had “openly expanded its military arsenal”.

Zhang said the “dangerous” moves had a “striking resemblance” to Japan’s pre-World War II militarisation, though he did not explain why these particular weapon programmes could pose challenges for the PLA.

Japan has rapidly expanded its long-range strike capabilities since adopting a “counterstrike capability” in its 2022 security strategy. Under the policy, Tokyo says it could strike military targets in an adversary’s territory for self-defence following an armed attack, while pre-emptive strikes remain prohibited.