China's Campaign Against Japanese 'Remilitarism' Finds Limited Traction in Europe
Chinese diplomats have launched a sustained campaign across European capitals warning that Japan is reviving militarism and demanding Europe help contain it, invoking Japan's World War II record as justification. The messaging echoes Beijing's broader Asia strategy but arrives as European governments are actively deepening military and industrial ties with Japan, including joint fighter jet development. Analysts suggest China's historical arguments are primarily aimed at deterring Western military support for Taiwan rather than genuinely addressing wartime accountability.
Since early 2026, Chinese officials and state-sponsored media have intensified efforts to convince European audiences that Japan under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi represents a dangerous revival of militarism comparable to pre-war fascism. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi made this case explicitly at February's Munich Security Conference, while subsequent commentaries from outlets like Xinhua and Global Times have sought to portray Japan's leadership as equivalent to far-right European parties. However, European governments have largely rejected this framing, with Britain and Italy—both former Axis allies—now partnering with Japan on advanced military projects including a new fighter jet. While historical grievances about Japanese wartime conduct remain valid in European memory, the generational distance from World War II and contemporary strategic interests have shifted European calculations. Policy analysts assess that China's revival of historical disputes serves primarily as a geopolitical tool to discourage Western military support for Taiwan rather than a genuine effort to address accountability for past atrocities.
What's missing
The article does not detail the specific nature or extent of Japan's current military expansion under Takaichi, nor does it provide Japan's official response to these Chinese accusations. Additionally, the article references a US-China summit where Xi became 'vocal and agitated' about Japan's remilitarization but does not provide the date of this summit or direct quotes from either leader.
What different sources said
- The Straits TimesCenter
The problem with China’s appeal for Europe to reject Japan’s ‘remilitarism’
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