Japan condemned for rash advances in military agenda

Moves seen as stirring regional unease, trigger Beijing's call for global scrutiny

China's diplomacy and defense authorities have spoken out to slam Japan's "dangerous" military, espionage and nuclear policy drives that have reminded other Asian countries of its atrocities over 80 years ago during World War II.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian warned on Thursday that Japan's neo-militarism is "becoming a serious concern" and "has posed a clear threat to world peace and stability".

Lin was responding to Japan's latest legislative drive to restore the military ranks used by the Imperial Japanese Army prior to the end of World War II.