Archive · 19 Dec 2025
Japan reaffirms no-nukes pledge after official's remarks
Japan has always said it will never have nuclear weapons.
But recently, a high-ranking official suggested that Japan might need them because other countries like China, Russia, and North Korea are becoming more threatening.
The government quickly said that their policy hasn't changed.
Some people in Japan are starting to talk about whether the country should change its rules about nuclear weapons, but it's a very sensitive topic because Japan was the only country ever attacked with atomic bombs.
The prime minister hasn't said if she will change the rules next year.
Some experts think Japan might be thinking differently about security because of these threats.
Japan reaffirmed its decades-old pledge never to possess nuclear weapons after an official suggested acquiring them.
An unnamed official from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's office said Japan needs nuclear weapons due to a worsening security environment.
Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara declined to comment on the official's remarks or their future in the post.
There is growing political and public willingness in Japan to loosen its three non-nuclear principles.
Some lawmakers suggest allowing the U.S. to bring nuclear weapons into Japan to reinforce deterrence.
- Who
- Japan's government, including Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara and Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi
- What
- Reaffirmation of Japan's no-nukes pledge after an official suggested acquiring nuclear weapons
- When
- December 19, 2023
- Where
- Tokyo, Japan
- Why
- Due to a worsening security environment and growing threats from nuclear-armed neighbors
- Country
- Japan
- Official
- Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara
- Prime Minister
- Sanae Takaichi
- Security Environment
- Worsening
- Potential Aggressors
- China, Russia, North Korea
- U.S. Security Guarantees
- Questioned under Trump
- Japan's Nuclear Policy
- No possession, development, or hosting of nuclear weapons