Sharp Words | Resolutely Deter Japanese Right-Wing Forces' Nuclear Ambitions — Be Vigilant Against the Real Threat of Japan's "New Militarism"

Recently, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi twice gave ambiguous statements regarding the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" at ceremonies marking the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, triggering widespread concern in the international community. In her remarks, she spoke at length about Japan's history as a so-called "victim nation of nuclear bombing," yet said not a word about Japan continuing to uphold the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," once again exposing the Takaichi government's ambition to send "loosening" signals on nuclear issues and attempt to influence the direction of public opinion.

For a long time, successive Japanese governments have publicly declared adherence to the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" of not possessing, not producing, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons. However, in recent years — and especially since Sanae Takaichi came to power — Japanese right-wing forces have systematically pursued a "gradual nuclear loosening" (渐进式核松绑), probing the red lines of all parties step by step. In November 2025, when asked in the Diet whether she would continue to uphold the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," Takaichi was evasive and equivocal, raising outside concerns. In December of that year, an official at the Prime Minister's Office responsible for security policy went so far as to declare that "Japan should possess nuclear weapons," sending shockwaves both inside and outside Japan. In October of last year, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi claimed he would "not rule out any option" on the question of whether Japan should develop nuclear-powered submarines, and in July of this year he directly called for "casting aside taboos," with his rhetoric escalating steadily. From the sitting prime minister to core aides to the defense minister's open clamor, Japan's scheme to seek a "breakthrough" on the question of "nuclear possession" is plainly visible.

Analysts believe that the Japanese ruling authorities' repeated trial balloons about revising the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" have a short-term objective of breaking through the policy constraint of "not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons" and opening the door for U.S. nuclear weapons to enter Japan openly. Using so-called regional tensions as a pretext, Japan has on multiple occasions demanded that the United States substantively strengthen its "extended deterrence" umbrella over Japan. At present, the Takaichi government is exploiting the revision of the "Three Security Documents" (安保三文件) to attempt a substantive modification of the "not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons" clause within the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles." Japan Innovation Party (日本维新会), which governs in coalition with the Liberal Democratic Party, has proposed that Japan retain the two principles of "not possessing" and "not producing" while conducting "realistic deliberations" on the "not introducing" principle. Once a breakthrough is achieved, Japan will in effect become a forward deployment base for its ally's nuclear weapons, which is highly likely to upset the regional strategic balance and seriously undermine regional security and stability.

As far back as World War II, Japan secretly conducted nuclear weapons research and development. It has since built a substantial nuclear industrial capability, possesses a complete nuclear fuel cycle system, and is able to produce weapons-grade nuclear material using existing technology and facilities — a nuclear-threshold state that is universally recognized and closely watched by the international community. In recent years, Japan has been accelerating its "self-loosening" on nuclear weapons policy, including strengthening "extended deterrence" cooperation, seeking "nuclear sharing" arrangements, pushing to develop nuclear-powered submarines, and introducing intermediate-range missile systems with nuclear-capable potential. At the same time, Japan has continued to substantially expand its defense budget, lifted restrictions on the export of lethal weapons, lifted the ban on the exercise of collective self-defense rights, and established a new "National Intelligence Agency" to advance the centralization and militarization of its intelligence apparatus… Japan's dangerous probing on the nuclear weapons issue and the across-the-board expansion of its conventional military power reinforce and drive each other. Its ambition to accelerate "re-militarization" and revive militarism is plain for all to see, and not only seriously undermines the international nuclear non-proliferation regime, but will also seriously threaten the fruits of victory in World War II and the postwar international order.

At present, 128 Japanese local assemblies have called on the Takaichi government to uphold the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," and the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki have also urged the defense minister to squarely confront the harm caused by nuclear weapons. As a defeated nation in World War II and a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Japan should squarely face the demands and voices of its own people, strictly abide by the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and its nuclear non-proliferation obligations, genuinely reflect on its history of aggression, and make a clean break with militarism. The international community must remain highly vigilant against and resolutely deter Japan's nuclear ambitions, jointly safeguard the fruits of victory in World War II, jointly safeguard the nuclear non-proliferation regime, and jointly safeguard international peace and security.