Sanae Takaichi, who took office on October 21, has been considering revising Japan’s long-standing non-nuclear weapons principles, Japanese media reported on Friday citing government sources.

This came after Japan’s defence minister, Shinjiro Koizumi, publicly urged the country to consider acquiring nuclear-powered submarines, while Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said Japan had “not ruled out any options” on the issue.

“These fully reveal that Japan is making a major negative policy shift, which sends a dangerous signal to the international community,” Lin told a regular press conference.

“We urge Japan to repent for its history of aggression, stick to the path of peaceful development, stop finding excuses for its military build-up, and take concrete actions to earn the trust from its Asian neighbours and the international community.”