A senior Japanese media professional has warned that Japan could draw strong criticism from the international community, and possibly even sanctions, if it comes into possession of nuclear weapons.
Recently, a senior official from the Japanese Prime Minister's Office brazenly claimed that Japan should have nuclear weapons. Subsequently, Itsunori Onodera, head of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party's security research council, said on a TV program on Sunday that Japan needs to debate the future of its non-nuclear principles.
Last month, Japanese media quoted government sources as saying that as the Takaichi administration gears up to revise the country's key national security documents by the end of 2026, Takaichi was considering reviewing the third of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibits nuclear weapons from entering Japan's territory, raising strong doubts and concerns at home.
These remarks from the Japanese government have drawn strong attention and strong condemnation at home and abroad.
In an exclusive interview with China Central Television (CCTV), former Asahi Shimbun journalist and political commentator Akira Sato expressed strong opposition against Japan's attempt to possess nuclear weapons.
"Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi plans to revise the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles.' What she most wants to revise is the third of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibits permitting the introduction of nuclear arms into Japanese territory. In English, 'introduction' has two meanings: one refers to 'transit,' while the other means 'introduction and storing.' The latter refers to establishing facilities within Japan to store nuclear weapons," he said.
"I think what Takaichi truly wants to pursue is the latter. The model of 'introduction and storing' involves establishing storage facilities in Japan for U.S. nuclear weapons. This way, if the weapons are ever used, the U.S. would have to consult with Japan beforehand. Consequently, Japan would have a say in any U.S. decision to use nuclear weapons. This would place Japan in a situation close to 'nuclear sharing' with the United States. Moving from 'nuclear sharing' to 'nuclear possession' is merely a matter of two or three steps, and I suspect that this is Takaichi's ultimate goal," he said.
He warned that if the prime minister continues this pursuit, the consequences for the country's relations with the international community could be devastating.
"If Japan seriously attempts to possess nuclear weapons, it will undoubtedly face extremely strong criticism from the international community. For example, Japan might have to withdraw from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, Japan still relies heavily on nuclear power for its electricity supply. A withdrawal would prohibit access to uranium for nuclear fuel. This would lead to a complete collapse of the Japanese economy, making it impossible for either the people's livelihood or the economic life to be sustained," said Sato.
The journalist also stressed that Japan's increasing military ambitions must be understood in the context of the country's lack of reflection on its wartime aggression in World War II.
"The younger generation in Japan indeed knows very little about the history of aggression. Japan must reflect on the war that took place 80 years ago. Furthermore, the reflection cannot come to a halt at a single moment, and this should be an ongoing process. When I look back at pre-war Japanese history, I feel a sense of distrust. Although I am a Japanese, I find the behaviors of Japanese politicians to be quite dangerous," he said.
Representatives of four atomic bomb survivor groups from Nagasaki on Wednesday issued a protest statement condemning the senior government official’s remarks on the possession of nuclear weapons, local media reported.
At a press conference held the same day, the groups said such claims were unacceptable and called on the Japanese government to uphold the country's Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which prohibit possessing, producing or permitting the introduction of nuclear arms, Kyodo News reported.
The statement said that arguments in favor of Japan's nuclear armament trample on the 80-year journey of atomic bomb survivors who emerged from an era of immense suffering, and therefore cannot be tolerated. It also urged the government to abandon a security policy that relies on nuclear deterrence.
Japan's possession of nuclear weapons would have serious consequences: media professional
