Three days ago, on December 18, 2025, a senior security advisor to Japan’s Prime Minister proposed that Japan should develop nuclear weapons — a suggestion that has reignited debate over the health of the global non-proliferation framework.
Under the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), non-nuclear-weapon states like Japan pledge "not to manufacture or otherwise acquire nuclear weapons." Analysts warn that Japan’s shift would blur the line between “nuclear-weapon” and “non-nuclear-weapon” states, undermining the treaty’s legal foundation and moral authority.
Key concerns include:
- Weakened Norms: Allowing nuclear deployment or “nuclear sharing” on Japanese soil could set a precedent for other states to follow.
- Credibility at Stake: Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles have legal and moral weight under international commitments. Abandoning them could damage Tokyo’s global standing.
- Risk of Proliferation: Eroding the clear distinction maintained by the NPT might trigger a cascade of nuclear ambitions in other regions.
Japan has long positioned itself as the only country to experience atomic bombings and a champion of disarmament. A reversal of its non-nuclear stance would not only strain its post-war identity but also challenge the universality of the NPT — the cornerstone of strategic stability.
As the international community watches, the debate over Japan’s potential nuclearization underscores broader questions about legal obligations, trust among nations, and the future of global security.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
