Japan's government reaffirmed its decades-old pledge against possessing nuclear weapons on Friday following remarks by a senior official suggesting acquisition for deterrence. Opposition parties called for the official's dismissal, while the government stressed commitment to the three non-nuclear principles.
Japan's government on December 19 reaffirmed its commitment to the three non-nuclear principles—not possessing, producing, or allowing nuclear weapons on its territory—after reports that a senior security official from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office suggested acquiring them to deter aggressors amid a deteriorating security environment. The unnamed official acknowledged the political difficulties of such a move, according to NHK and other media.
At a press briefing in Tokyo, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Japan's nuclear policy remains unchanged but declined to comment on the remarks or whether the official would be removed, despite calls from opposition leaders for dismissal. Constitutional Democratic Party leader Yoshihiko Noda highlighted that Takaichi has not explicitly affirmed the principles and has previously advocated reviewing the ban on nuclear entry into Japan.
As the only country to suffer atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan has upheld these principles since World War II, enshrined in its pacifist constitution. A Reuters investigation in August revealed growing political and public willingness to loosen them, fueled by doubts over U.S. security guarantees under President Donald Trump and threats from nuclear-armed neighbors China, Russia, and North Korea.
Stephen Nagy, a politics professor at International Christian University in Tokyo, described the remarks as 'trial balloons' to build consensus for security policy changes, noting momentum from Beijing's assertiveness and Moscow-Pyongyang missile ties. Senior ruling party lawmaker Taro Kono urged a broader debate on the pros and cons of nuclear acquisition.
Such discussions risk backlash from neighbors like China, whose relations with Tokyo have soured after Takaichi's comments last month on a potential military response to a Chinese attack on Taiwan. The government plans to monitor public reaction closely as the situation settles.
