China's Defence Ministry spokesman Geng Yansheng said the actions would inflame tensions in the region, according to a statement published by Xinhua.
Earlier this week, Japan announced it plans to buy stealth fighters, drones and submarines as part of a splurge on military hardware that will beef up defence of far-flung islands amid a territorial row with China.
The cabinet of hawkish Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Tuesday agreed to spend Y24.7 trillion ($A268.95 billion) between 2014 and 2019 in a strategic shift towards the south and west of the country
- a five per cent boost to the military budget over five years.
New guidelines approved by the cabinet on Tuesday said Tokyo will introduce a "dynamic joint defence force", intended to help air, land and sea forces work together more effectively.
Abe said the shift would allow Japan's military to better shoulder its responsibilities on the global stage.
"We hope to make further contributions to the peace and stability of the international community through proactive pacifism," he said. "This shows with transparency our country's diplomatic and defence policies."
