Defense: China's military growth worries Japan

China's plan to increase its military budget by 17.6 per cent has caused concern in Japan.

"We believe that China's military modernisation will be further accelerated," it said in a statement.

"The defence ministry will keep working for China to enhance transparency about the strength of its military so as to address the concerns of the international community."

On Monday, the Pentagon also expressed concern in a report that also targeted China's lack of transparency.