Majority of Japanese Citizens Oppose Nuclear Weapons and Condemn US Attacks on Iran
A poll reported by a major media outlet on Sunday (2/8) shows that 7lar76% of Japan’s population supports the enforcement of the country’s three non-nuclear principles: not producing, not possessing, and not allowing nuclear weapons within its territory. The survey also found that 77% believe Japan should not seek nuclear sharing, an arrangement where the United States would station nuclear weapons in Japan for joint operations.
As the only nation to have suffered from atomic bombings during wartime, these results highlight a strong anti-nuclear sentiment amidst growing debates regarding the revision of these principles. Support for Japan joining the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons ahead of its first review conference in November stands at 55%, a 5 percentage point decrease from the previous year. Conversely, 42% of respondents oppose joining the treaty, with 56% stating that the agreement would not lead to the actual elimination of nuclear weapons, according to survey results reported by Tokyo Shimbun.
When asked about recent US actions, 90% of respondents expressed opposition to US military actions against Iran and Venezuela. Among those surveyed, 44% believed the Japanese government should express concern regarding US attacks on Iran, while 34% felt the government’s current response—which neither supports nor criticises the attacks—was appropriate.
Furthermore, 63% of respondents believe there is a high or medium possibility that nuclear weapons will be used in war within the next decade, a 9 percentage point drop from 2024. Meanwhile, 33% believe there is a high or medium possibility of Japan entering a war, down 2 percentage points from the previous year. 86% of respondents view Japan as a peace-loving nation, with 31% of that group stating that the strengthening of peaceful diplomacy is necessary to ensure Japan remains a non-warring nation.
Regarding the government’s April decision to lift the ban on the export of lethal weapons, 36% believe exports should be limited to non-lethal equipment, even to allies. However, a combined 53% believe the ban should be maintained or that the policy needs to be reconsidered.
The survey, which targeted 3,000 individuals aged 18 and over, was conducted in June and July by a national polling organisation established by Kyodo News and its members.