Earlier this week, a coalition of civic groups and atomic bomb survivors known as the Japan NGO Network for Nuclear Weapons Abolition delivered a petition to the Foreign Ministry, urging Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi and Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi to reaffirm the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a clear national policy.
Masako Wada, coordinator of the organization, said she hopes Takaichi will explicitly state that the Three Non-Nuclear Principles are a national policy and adhere to them. Another member, Kazuko Ito, expressed deep concern over what she described as a growing atmosphere within the Japanese government that tolerates rhetoric advocating nuclear armament.
The petition strongly protested statements suggesting that Japan should possess nuclear weapons, saying such shocking and outrageous remarks violate the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and Japan's Atomic Energy Basic Law. It follows comments by an internal security policy official who told media that Japan should have nuclear weapons, sparking widespread criticism.
Lin Jian, spokesperson for the Chinese mainland's Foreign Ministry, said the Chinese mainland was shocked by the claim. Lin said the statements amounted to a blatant challenge to the postwar international order and the nuclear non-proliferation regime, a serious threat to regional and international peace and stability, and a U-turn from Japan's commitment to "peaceful development." Lin added that calling the idea a "personal view" is not convincing and warned the international community to stay vigilant and firmly oppose such remarks.
As debates over Japan's security posture intensify, this petition highlights the tension between historical non-nuclear ideals and new calls for change. Young global citizens, business leaders, and advocates for peace will be watching closely as the government responds to these demands and navigates regional dynamics.
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Japanese civil body urges government to uphold non-nuclear principles
cgtn.com
