Japan’s Takaichi stops short of clear pledge to maintain non-nuclear principles

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi did not explicitly pledge that Japan will maintain its non-nuclear principles, simply stating that the government "upholds" the long-standing policy during a press conference marking the 81st anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima. At the ceremony, Takaichi reiterated her government's commitment to promoting "realistic and practical" efforts towards a world without nuclear weapons.

Her government is reportedly considering revising Japan's existing non-nuclear principles, which include not possessing, producing, or allowing nuclear weapons in the country. Takaichi, known for her hawkish views on national security, stated that it is too early to comment on the final wording of the revised document. She emphasized that Japan remains committed to the three non-nuclear principles in its policy direction.

However, recent prime ministers, including Shigeru Ishiba and Fumio Kishida, have also pledged to maintain these non-nuclear principles in their speeches during the annual ceremonies commemorating the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Shinzo Abe, Takaichi's political mentor, refrained from referring to the principles in his 2015 address.

Opposition leaders have questioned Takaichi's stance, with Centrist Reform Alliance chief Junya Ogawa noting that her speech was merely "an explanation of the current situation" and lacking a "firm commitment" to the non-nuclear principles. Yuichiro Tamaki, leader of the opposition Democratic Party for the People, argued that the three principles should be upheld for Japan to pursue realistic security policies.

Prior to the press conference, Takaichi met with representatives of atomic bomb survivors, who expressed concerns that the government and ruling parties are discussing the possibility of reviewing the non-nuclear principles and even considering a nuclear-sharing arrangement with the United States. These proposals, they argue, run counter to the wishes of the survivors and cannot be tolerated.

They reiterated their demand for Japan to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which aims for a complete ban on nuclear weapons, but noted that the treaty has not been ratified by the world's nuclear powers, including Japan. Instead, Tokyo has called for the maintenance and strengthening of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime.