毎日新聞5/25/2026Politics1 min readJapan

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Refutes China's Criticism of Prime Minister Kishida's Defense Policy

Quick Look

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara refuted Chinese President Xi Jinping's criticism of Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's defense policy, stating that Japan's commitment to "exclusive defense" remains unchanged and China's claims are unfounded.
Xi had accused Kishida of reviving "neo-militarism" during a US-China summit, while President Trump reportedly defended Kishida.

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Why It Matters

Chinese President Xi Jinping criticized Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's defense policy during a US-China summit, calling it a revival of "neo-militarism." Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara refuted these claims, asserting that Japan's policy of "exclusive defense" remains unchanged.

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日本の防衛力強化の方針を巡り、中国の習近平国家主席がトランプ米大統領との首脳会談で高市早苗首相を名指しで批判したことについて、木原稔官房長官は25日の記者会見で「我が国の防衛の基本的な方針である専守防衛は不変だ。中国の主張は全く当たらない」と反論した。

習氏は14、15日に北京で行われた米中首脳会談で、首相が進める防衛力強化は「新型軍国主義」の復活で、脅威が増していると指摘。これに対しトランプ米大統領は「首相は素晴らしい指導者だ」と擁護したとされる。

木原氏はトランプ氏が首相を擁護したとされることについては「（首相が15日の日米電話協議後に）日本について大変なお力添えをいただいたと述べている」と触れるにとどめた。【高橋祐貴】

Open Questions

What specific "neo-militarism" aspects did Xi Jinping refer to?
What was the full context of President Trump's remarks in defense of PM Kishida?
How might China react to Japan's continued defense strengthening?
What are the implications for regional security and US-Japan-China relations?