Poll: 76 per cent of Japanese citizens support three non-nuclear principles
Tokyo (ANTARA) - A poll reported by a major media outlet on Sunday shows that 76 per cent 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 per cent believe Japan should not seek nuclear sharing, an arrangement where the United States would station nuclear weapons in Japan for joint operations. As Japan is the only nation to have suffered from atomic bombings during wartime, these results highlight a strong anti-nuclear sentiment amidst increasing debate 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 per cent, a 5 percentage point decrease from the previous year. Those opposing Japan’s accession to the treaty account for 42 per cent, with 56 per cent stating that the treaty would not lead to the elimination of nuclear weapons, according to the survey results reported by Tokyo Shimbun.
When asked about recent US actions, 90 per cent of respondents stated they oppose US military actions against Iran and Venezuela. Of those surveyed, 44 per cent believe the Japanese government should express concern over US strikes on Iran, while 34 per cent believe the government’s current response—which neither supports nor criticises the strikes—is appropriate.
A total of 63 per cent of respondents stated there is a high or medium possibility that nuclear weapons will be used in war within the next 10 years, a 9 percentage point drop from 2024. Meanwhile, 33 per cent believe there is a high or medium possibility that Japan will enter into a war, down 2 percentage points from the previous year.
Japan is viewed as a peace-loving nation by 86 per cent of respondents. Among them, 31 per cent stated that the strengthening of peaceful diplomacy is necessary for Japan to remain a non-warring nation. Regarding the government’s decision in April to lift the ban on the export of lethal weapons, 36 per cent believe exports should be limited to non-lethal equipment, even to allies. Meanwhile, a combined 53 per cent 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.