Japanese Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi: Japan's defense policy and defense buildups are not based on the idea of identifying any specific country or region as a threat or having a military confrontation with it. That said, China continues to increase its defense spending at a high level and is rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of areas without sufficient transparency. China's external approach and military activities are matters of serious concern for Japan and the international community. Japan believes it is essential to have persistent candid dialogue and communication without turning our eyes away from concrete and difficult issues precisely because challenges exist. Japan's door is always open.