Japan defense chief takes swipe at China at security meet

SINGAPORE — Japan's defense minister took a veiled swipe at China on Sunday, pledging to keep strengthening the military despite Beijing's criticism of Tokyo's increasingly muscular security stance. Under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan has quickened its pivot towards a more proactive defense policy, further shaking off — with US encouragement — its pacifist outlook in place since the end of World War II. The change has drawn frequent rebukes from Beijing, which has accuse