Addressing defense officials, military leaders and diplomats gathered in Singapore, Koizumi argued that criticism of Japan’s security posture was misplaced given the country’s longstanding adherence to international law and the absence of strategic weapons such as nuclear arms and long-range strategic bombers.

“Think about it. There’s a country that has a huge arsenal of nuclear weapons and strategic bombers. Japan has neither of such weapons, and yet Japan is labelled ‘new militarism’?” Koizumi said in remarks widely interpreted as directed at China.

The comments reflected growing tensions between Asia’s two largest economies as regional governments respond to shifting security dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Japan has expanded defense spending and strengthened security partnerships in recent years amid concerns over China’s military modernization and increasingly assertive actions in regional waters.

Koizumi said Japan had consistently supported the international rules-based order since the end of the Second World War and remained committed to the principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter.

“Since the end of the Second World War, Japan has consistently respected international law, including the Charter of the United Nations, and has made sincere efforts to maintain and strengthen a free and open international order,” he said.

The speech came weeks after China’s Foreign Ministry urged Asia-Pacific nations to remain vigilant against what it described as Japan’s “neo-militarism,” reflecting Beijing’s longstanding concerns over Tokyo’s defense reforms and closer security cooperation with Western allies.

Koizumi also expressed disappointment that he was unable to meet Chinese defense officials during the forum.

“I feel sad,” he said, referring to the absence of Chinese counterparts from discussions at the annual gathering.

For the second consecutive year, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun did not attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, depriving regional officials of one of the few opportunities for informal high-level military engagement between China and other countries.

The absence comes as strategic competition intensifies across the Indo-Pacific, with disputes in the South China Sea, concerns over Taiwan, and competing military buildups increasingly shaping regional security discussions.

Japan’s efforts to modernize its defense capabilities have become a central element of its national security strategy, but Tokyo maintains that its policies remain defensive in nature and consistent with the country’s post-war constitutional framework.

The annual summit, hosted in Singapore and attended by defense ministers, military leaders and security experts from across the Indo-Pacific and beyond, has traditionally provided a platform for senior Chinese officials to outline Beijing’s strategic priorities and engage directly with counterparts from major powers.

This year, however, China did not send Defense Minister Dong Jun. Instead, Beijing dispatched a delegation composed largely of military academics and researchers from the People’s Liberation Army, marking a noticeable departure from its customary high-profile representation.

The absence also meant Dong did not participate in face-to-face meetings with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth or defense officials from countries including Australia, Britain, France and Japan.

A centerpiece of previous Shangri-La Dialogues had been a keynote address by China’s defense minister or another senior official outlining Beijing’s views on regional security, military modernization and international affairs. That session was absent from the conference agenda for the second consecutive year.

Speaking during his keynote address, Hegseth noted the absence of his Chinese counterpart and said he hoped future opportunities would arise for direct communication between the two sides on issues where military actions and intentions can be interpreted differently.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Richard Marles described China’s limited participation as a missed opportunity for candid dialogue on regional security concerns.

Despite the absence from Singapore, Dong met Hegseth earlier this month during President Donald Trump’s visit to China.

Members of the Chinese delegation downplayed the significance of the minister’s nonattendance. Retired PLA senior colonel Zhou Bo said academic delegations had participated in the forum before, though he acknowledged that this year’s representation was at a comparatively lower level.

Analysts attending the forum suggested Beijing may have sought to avoid difficult questions regarding cross-strait tensions involving Taiwan and the impact of recent military corruption investigations on China’s defense establishment.

Chong Ja Ian said the composition of the delegation raised questions about its authority to speak on behalf of the Chinese government and military leadership.

Some diplomats also suggested Beijing may have wished to avoid a repeat of previous confrontations at the forum. In 2025, Hegseth sharply criticized China’s actions in the Indo-Pacific and urged regional allies to strengthen defense spending, prompting a strong response from Beijing.

This year, Hegseth adopted a more measured tone while still warning against any attempt by a single power to dominate the region. He said no country should be able to impose hegemony over regional security and prosperity, while also noting that relations between Washington and Beijing had improved compared with previous years.

China began regularly sending senior delegations to the Shangri-La Dialogue in 2007 and elevated its participation by dispatching defense ministers on multiple occasions, including from 2022 through 2024. The conference was suspended in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Veteran Singaporean diplomat Bilahari Kausikan said the primary purpose of the forum remains maintaining U.S. strategic engagement in Southeast Asia. While Chinese ministerial participation is welcome, he argued, it is not essential to the event’s broader objectives.