Japan’s Defense Minister Urges Nuclear Weapons Debate

Japan’s Defense Minister Shinjirō Koizumi has called for launching a national debate on nuclear weapons.

He said Japan ‘cannot avoid’ the issue as the government prepares to review three key national security documents by the end of the year, according to The Mainichi.

Koizumi argued that Japan’s security environment has become increasingly severe, while several European countries are moving to strengthen their nuclear deterrence capabilities.

As an example, Koizumi pointed to Finland, whose parliament has authorized the entry of nuclear weapons into the country, and France, which plans to increase its number of nuclear warheads.

Japan remains the only country in the world to have suffered nuclear bombings. It continues to adhere to its three non-nuclear principles: not to produce, possess, or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons onto its territory.

Meanwhile, Japan’s security is guaranteed by the United States’ so-called nuclear umbrella.

Previously, the United States reportedly agreed in principle to allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium without requiring international safeguards designed to prevent the development of nuclear weapons.