Russia confirms Japan can rapidly produce nuclear weapons

Russia has confirmed Japan's ability to rapidly produce nuclear weapons, citing the East Asian nation's expansion of military capabilities. Anton Kobyakov, Executive Secretary of the Eastern Economic Forum Organizing Committee, stated in an interview with TASS that Japan could assemble nuclear weapons within a year. Kobyakov attributed Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's "aggressive rhetoric" to Japan's changing role in the United States' regional and global strategy, moving towards direct involvement.

Despite Japan being the only country to suffer nuclear attacks during wartime, its government maintains commitment to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty framework. However, some figures are encouraging nuclear development in response to China, North Korea, and Russia's increasing capabilities. In July, Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi supported debates on nuclear possession, acknowledging the difficulty of the issue but emphasizing that nuclear weapons cannot be avoided.

Japan possesses around 45 tonnes of plutonium, derived from its civilian nuclear energy program, which critics warn could be used to produce thousands of warheads if misused. Ranging from recognized nuclear-weapon states like the United States, Russia, China, France, and the United Kingdom, to de facto nuclear-weapon states such as Israel, India, North Korea, and Pakistan, Russia's confirmation of Japan's nuclear production capacity underscores the evolving global nuclear landscape.