Foreign Minister Taro Aso on Sunday called China a military threat and Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinzo Abe rebuffed conciliatory gestures by Beijing over Yasukuni Shrine in comments likely to heighten tensions between the two nations.
Speaking on a Fuji TV talk show, Aso -- who has already riled China in recent months with a series of critical comments -- rapped what he said was rapid growth and lack of transparency in China's military spending.
"It's not clear what China is using the money for. This creates a sense of threat for surrounding countries," he said.
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