Minister hits back at Chinese criticism over Japan's defense buildup

TOKYO - Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Friday fired back at China's continued criticism of Japanese attempts to reinforce its defense capabilities.

"China appears to have been waging a propaganda campaign against us, as if Japan is becoming militaristic," Koizumi told reporters when he was asked about the Japanese government's push to eliminate the limitation of defense equipment transfers to five noncombat purposes -- rescue, transport, warning, surveillance and minesweeping.