Japan's Defence Minister Calls for Open Debate on Nuclear Weapons

Tokyo (ANTARA) - Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has stated that his country needs to open a debate on nuclear weapons, as several European nations begin to strengthen their nuclear deterrence policies. In an online programme released on Friday (18/7), Koizumi said Japan “cannot avoid” discussing the issue. The statement was made amid the government’s plan to revise three key national security policy documents before the end of the year. Koizumi cited France and Finland as examples of countries now adopting policies that support strengthening nuclear deterrence capabilities. In June, Finland’s parliament passed a law allowing nuclear weapons to be brought into the country’s territory. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron stated in March that his country would increase its number of nuclear warheads. Although Japan is under the protection of the United States’ nuclear umbrella, it is the only country to have ever suffered a nuclear attack. Japan also continues to adhere to its three non-nuclear principles: not producing, not possessing, and not permitting nuclear weapons on its territory. Koizumi said Japan’s security environment is now increasingly complex. Therefore, he argued, Japan needs to change the situation where certain issues are considered unfit for debate. Last December, a source involved in security policy formulation under the administration of Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. The statement drew rejection from opposition parties and several countries. Former Japanese Defence Minister Itsunori Onodera also stated late last year that Japan needs to re-discuss the future of the non-nuclear principles the country has long embraced.