China has condemned Japan’s new national security strategy and has accused Japan of military expansion, according to the state’s news agency.
Chinese Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said in a statement that the move would increase regional tensions,
“China is firmly opposed to Japan’s relevant actions,” he added.
He accused Tokyo of using its national security as an excuse for military growth.
It comes as Tokyo is involved in a bitter row with Beijing over islands in the East China Sea that both claim.
Previously, Japan announced of buying advanced equipment including drones and amphibious vehicles.
The announcement of more Japanese military spending came weeks after China established an air defence identification zone over a swathe of the East China Sea, including islands controlled by Japan.
Over the next five years, Japan plans to buy anti-missile destroyers, submarines, 52 amphibious vehicles, surveillance drones, US fighter planes and 17 Boeing Osprey aircraft, capable of vertical take-off.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he wants Japan to expand the scope of activities performed by the military – something currently tightly controlled by the post-war constitution.