A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Thursday condemned the incident whereby an active-duty officer of Japan's Self-Defense Forces forcibly entered the Chinese embassy in Tokyo, saying it reflects the spread of far-right thinking in Japan and its growing influence within the military.

Speaking at a regular news conference, Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, called on Japan to immediately conduct a thorough investigation and punish the perpetrator.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, when a member of the Self-Defense Forces climbed over a wall and entered the Chinese embassy compound in Tokyo, threatening to kill Chinese diplomatic personnel. Tokyo's Metropolitan Police Department said on Thursday that the suspect, identified as Kodai Murata, an active-duty officer with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, was transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of unlawful entry.

Jiang urged the international community to remain vigilant against Japan's accelerating rightward shift and insufficient oversight of its expanding Self-Defense Forces, warning of the potential consequences of rising neo-militarism.

He also responded to recent remarks by Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who said the country faces its most severe and complex security environment since World War II, citing the strengthening of military capabilities of China and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, as well as closer cooperation between Russia, China and the DPRK. Takaichi said Japan must prepare for "new fighting styles", including the large-scale use of unmanned aerial vehicles and the possibility of prolonged conflict.

Jiang rejected the characterization, adding that Japan's claims of external threats are driven by ulterior motives. He said Japan, which invaded neighboring countries in the past and caused suffering across Asia and beyond, has yet to fully reflect on its history of aggression.

Against that backdrop, Jiang said, Japan's repeated emphasis on external threats is "groundless and ill-intentioned", adding that Tokyo appears to be seeking to divert domestic tensions, mislead the international community and advance remilitarization.

He said Japan is pushing forward with the revision of its three national security documents, has expanded offensive military capabilities and discussed the possibility of possessing nuclear weapons.

"Such dangerous moves are very alarming," Jiang said. "Peace-loving people around the world should unite to resolutely curb the resurgence and spread of neo-militarism in Japan, and firmly uphold regional peace and stability as well as the safety and well-being of the people."

Separately, Japan carried out a major organizational overhaul of its Self-Defense Forces on Monday, including restructuring the Maritime Self-Defense Force, expanding its space unit and establishing intelligence forces. Earlier this month, Japan also received its first batch of battlefield cruise missiles from the United States.

Jiang said Japan's military ambitions are growing as it expands the size of its forces, strengthens long-range strike capabilities, accelerates the militarization of space and explores preemptive strike options.

"These moves have gone far beyond the scope of exclusive self-defense and pose a threat to regional peace and stability," Jiang said.

He added that the international community must oppose the resurgence of neo-militarism in Japan, warning of serious consequences if it is not contained.

yangzekun@chinadaily.com.cn