Shinjiro Koizumi backs nuke-free world after controversy
The defense minister's proposal last month for debates without any taboos on nuclear policy sparked criticism, including among hibakusha atomic bomb survivors.
Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has voiced support for a world without nuclear weapons following a proposal for unrestricted debates on nuclear policy that caused controversy, especially among atomic bombing survivors. Koizumi expressed deep sympathy for the hibakusha's desire for a nuclear-free world during a news conference on Tuesday.
In an online program last month, Koizumi acknowledged that Japan must address the contentious issue of nuclear policy, a statement that drew criticism from a Hiroshima organization representing atomic bombing survivors. The group deemed Koizumi's remark "unforgivable." Koizumi clarified that he was referring to the need to discuss defense policy without excluding any options, emphasizing Japan's commitment to actively contribute to international nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation efforts.
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