Xi criticizes Japan ‘remilitarization' during Trump summit in Beijing

May 25 (Asia Today) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping sharply criticized Japan's "remilitarization" during summit talks with U.S. President Donald Trump in Beijing on May 14-15, according to a report published Saturday by the Financial Times.

The newspaper reported Xi became visibly agitated while criticizing Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Tokyo's increased defense spending, surprising U.S. officials and creating what the report described as one of the most intense moments of the two-day summit.

Trump responded that Japan needed to strengthen its security posture to counter threats from North Korea, though it remained unclear whether he also referred to China as Japan's primary security concern, the report said.

According to the Financial Times, the issue of Japan's military posture had not been discussed during advance preparations between U.S. and Chinese officials before the summit, making Xi's decision to raise the matter directly at the leader-level talks unexpected for the American side.

As Xi strongly criticized Takaichi and Japan's defense buildup, Trump argued that Japan needed a tougher security posture as threats from North Korea intensified.

The Financial Times said it was unclear whether Trump mentioned China in the same context, despite Japan increasingly identifying Beijing as a greater threat than North Korea in recent years. Since 2023, Tokyo has described China's military activities and external posture as its "greatest strategic challenge" in annual defense white papers.

China's Foreign Ministry separately criticized Japan's defense policy, saying Japan's military budget has increased for 14 consecutive years while right-wing forces in the country continue demanding even higher defense spending.

"The mask of Japan as a peaceful nation is being stripped away, showing once again that it is sliding toward neo-militarism," the ministry said.

China noted Japan plans to raise defense spending by 9.7% in 2025.

However, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China - the world's second-largest military spender - increased defense spending by 7.4% last year to $336 billion, or about 508.7 trillion won. The increase marked China's 31st consecutive annual rise in military spending and amounted to more than five times Japan's $62 billion defense budget, or about 93.9 trillion won.

The Financial Times said Japan's draft 2026 defense white paper expresses "serious concern" over China's increasingly assertive military activities and deepening military cooperation with Russia.

Relations between Beijing and Tokyo sharply deteriorated after Takaichi said in November that a Chinese attack on Taiwan could become a "survival-threatening situation" for Japan and potentially justify military involvement.

Although the remarks did not represent an official policy shift by Tokyo, China reacted strongly and imposed measures including export restrictions on dual-use rare earth-related items, according to the report.

The Financial Times said Takaichi received little public backing from Trump or senior U.S. officials following the remarks, fueling concerns in Japan ahead of the Beijing summit over how Trump might address Tokyo's security concerns.

Trump later called Takaichi aboard Air Force One while returning to Washington. Neither the White House nor the Japanese government disclosed details of the conversation.

The Financial Times also reported growing anxiety within the Japanese government over the state of the U.S.-Japan alliance, citing Trump administration tariffs on allies, concerns that the Iran conflict could weaken deterrence against China and delays in U.S. weapons deliveries.

The United States recently informed Japan that delivery of 400 Tomahawk missiles ordered in 2024 for Tokyo's planned "counterstrike capability" against China could face serious delays, the report said.

Trump also reportedly described a proposed $14 billion, or about 21.2 trillion won, U.S. weapons package for Taiwan as a useful "negotiating chip" in talks with China. The remarks reportedly heightened concerns among U.S. allies and partners over Washington's commitment to Taiwan's defense.

The Financial Times reported China is withholding approval for a possible visit to Beijing by Elbridge Colby until Washington clarifies its position on the Taiwan package.

Christopher Johnstone, a former White House National Security Council director for East Asia, told the Financial Times that Xi's "caustic approach" toward Japan and efforts to leverage Trump's desire for stable U.S.-China ties would instead reinforce Japan's push for stronger self-defense capabilities.

"Xi's lack of self-awareness is remarkable," Johnstone said. "His own actions are accelerating the emergence of a much stronger Japan."

He added that China's anti-Japan rhetoric has little support outside its borders and said countries including South Korea, Australia and the Philippines are strengthening security cooperation with Japan because they view China as a greater concern than a "remilitarized" Japan.

-- Reported by Asia Today; translated by UPI

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This story was originally published May 25, 2026 at 8:08 PM.