Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has once again called for a more open and frank discussion on nuclear weapons in the country, the Kyodo News agency reported.
– “We must create conditions in which the security measures necessary [for Japan] can be discussed openly and frankly,” he said at a symposium in Tokyo, according to the agency.
– Koizumi’s statement comes amid the ongoing review of the national security strategy, which also touches on Japan’s three non-nuclear principles – not to possess, produce, or import nuclear weapons into its territory. Previously, Japan’s defense minister had already spoken out several times in favor of holding a discussion on these issues.
– The Japanese defense chief also once again left the door open for potentially equipping the country’s navy with nuclear submarines.
– With Sanae Takaichi’s appointment as prime minister, Japanese media noted that the approach to the three non-nuclear principles would be discussed as part of the already announced review of the national security strategy. It was claimed, in particular, that Takaichi was prepared to advocate, at the very least, for lifting the ban on the import of US nuclear weapons into the country. However, amid these reports, the prime minister stated that she had not instructed anyone to review the non-nuclear principles during discussions on the new version of the national security strategy. At the same time, Takaichi has consistently given evasive answers to questions about whether Japan will continue to adhere to the three non-nuclear principles, emphasizing that now is “not the stage at which anything can be affirmed.”
– Public opinion polls show that the overwhelming majority of Japanese citizens (on average, more than 70%) support maintaining adherence to the three non-nuclear principles.
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