{
  "id": 8329459,
  "title": "Even to Deter China, There is No Need for Japan to Hastily Discard One of its Three Non-Nuclear Principles",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/even-to-deter-china-there-is-no-need-for-japan-to-hastily-discard-one",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T23:00:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun",
    "slug": "the-japan-news-by-the-yomiuri-shimbun",
    "url": "https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/editorial/political-pulse/20260919-349473/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's long-standing policy prohibits the possession, production, and introduction of nuclear weapons, known as the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This stance stems from the country's experience with atomic bombings and its pacifist Constitution. However, China's growing nuclear arsenal, potentially matching the U.S.'s in the near future, has reignited debate over Japan's security strategy. The debate intensifies as the government aims to finalize revisions to the three strategic security documents by year-end. While discussions focus on new technologies like drones and AI, concerns over nuclear deterrence are also on the rise. Theoretically, Japan could bolster its defenses by equipping its future nuclear-powered submarines with nuclear weapons, akin to Britain and France's strategic submarines. Yet, this option is currently off the table. Instead, deploying long-range non-nuclear missiles on these submarines is seen as a potential counterstrike capability. The government's expert panel, tasked with revising the security documents, has heard calls for this approach. Nonetheless, the cost of building a nuclear submarine far exceeds that of Japan's diesel-powered ones, and legally, it would require amending the Atomic Energy Basic Act. Public opposition to nuclear submarines is also anticipated. In light of these challenges, some argue for revising the third principle, \"not allowing the introduction\" of nuclear weapons, to enhance U.S. nuclear deterrence. This suggestion has been echoed by the Japan Innovation Party and the Liberal Democratic Party, though the possibility of such a change remains uncertain.",
  "summary": "Debate over revision of the three national security strategy documents has entered a crucial phase. The government plans to complete the revision by the end of the year.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}