Japanese civil groups and experts urged Japan's government to uphold its Three Non-Nuclear Principles at a Tokyo symposium on Monday, warning that proposals to acquire nuclear-powered submarines could mark a shift in the country's defense policy.
The meeting was held at the First Members' Office Building of Japan's House of Representatives as the government prepares to revise its three key security documents.
Japanese media reports have suggested the review could address both the wording of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and the possible introduction of nuclear-powered submarines. The principles bar Japan from possessing and producing nuclear weapons or allowing them into the country.
"On nuclear-powered submarines, Japan is now trying to change course dramatically and acquire them. I find that deeply alarming. Introducing such submarines would run counter to Japan's exclusively defense-oriented policy," said Hajime Matsukubo, secretary general of the Citizens’ Nuclear Information Center.
Other participants urged the government to heed Japan's experience of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
"Given Japan's particular history with nuclear weapons, I hope the defense minister will take a step back and learn from that history," another participant said.
"As the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, Japan has a responsibility to maintain a non-nuclear stance. As a Japanese citizen, I hope the government can uphold the Three Non-Nuclear Principles," a third participant said.
"Of course I believe the Three Non-Nuclear Principles should be fully upheld," a fourth participant said.
Japanese civil groups urge gov't to uphold non-nuclear commitment amid submarine debate
