Japan leader warns of rising Chinese power

TOKYO, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan voiced concern about China's military buildup in a speech to Parliament Friday.

Kan, in his first big speech since fending off a party leadership challenge, called on China to act as a "responsible member of the international community," the BBC reported.

"The rise of China has been remarkable in recent years," Kan told Parliament. "But we are concerned about its strengthening defense capabilities without transparency and accelerating maritime activities spanning from the Indian Ocean to the East China Sea."

China says its military spending will rise 7.5 percent in 2010 after years of double-digit growth, but many believe the true amount is far higher.

Relations hit a low last month after a Chinese fishing vessel collided with two Japanese patrol boats off small islands claimed by both countries.

China was enraged when Japan detained its captain for more than two weeks, demanding an apology and compensation.

Beijing suspended high-level talks, exports to Japan of rare earth metals were temporarily halted, and four Japanese were detained on charges of trespassing into a restricted military area.

Three of them were returned to Japan Friday, but a fourth remained in detention.