Hyping up external threats for military expansion and war preparations are tactics habitually used by Japanese militarism, said a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on June 4.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a daily press briefing, in response to the recent statements by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth regarding the Japanese government's revision of the "three principles on transfer of defense equipment and technology."

Mao said that as explicitly stipulated in international instruments such as the Potsdam Proclamation, Japan is obligated under international law to be "completely disarmed" and not to maintain industries that "would enable her to re-arm for war."

Japan, however, has been lifting the ban on lethal weapon export, rebuilding the war machine, and rapidly shifting to offense-oriented security and defense policies. Those dangerous moves bear an alarming resemblance to the course of actions taken by militarists in pre-war Japan, said Mao.

History has taught the world a painful lesson on appeasing and condoning militarism. Once that Pandora's box is opened, no one will be safe from the danger of raising a monster, Mao added.