00:01The powerful sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un accused Japan on Wednesday of
00:07transformation into a war state, as Tokyo beefs up its military stance in the Pacific.
00:13Japan has been gradually moving away from its post-World War II pacifist status,
00:19increasing military spending, ramping up defense pacts,
00:22and deploying missile launchers to its outer islands.
00:26In a statement carried by North Korean state media, Kim Yo-jong cited Tokyo's recent test
00:31firing of Tomahawk long-range cruise missiles and its main participation in US-led drills in
00:36the Philippines as evidence of Washington's support for so-called dangerous military moves in the
00:42Pacific. China, a key ally of North Korea, has also recently expressed alarm at what it sees
00:48as new militarism by Japan. Relations have worsened since Tokyo's hawkish Prime Minister
00:55Sannei Takaichi made comments in November suggesting Chinese action to seize Taiwan
01:00could merit a reaction from Japan's military.
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