Defense Minister's Reckless Remarks on "Necessary Discussions" Raise Concerns, Japan Again Provokes Calls to Relax "Three Non-Nuclear Principles"

[Global Times Special Correspondent in Japan Wang Jun, Global Times Reporter Li Meng, Global Times Special Correspondent Yang Chen] On the 17th, Japan's Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichiro publicly called for discussions on nuclear weapons issues during an online program, asserting that Japan must "explore various policy options with a sense of crisis and should not consider any option as taboo." Two days later, Japan's Nikkei Asia sensationalized the "China threat" following China's test launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile this month, stating that the Japanese government plans to study specific measures to further strengthen the U.S. "extended nuclear deterrence" during the revision of the "three security documents" at the end of the year. It claimed that if China continues such displays of military force, calls to "re-examine the 'three non-nuclear principles'" may grow louder. Wu Yingjie, a researcher at the Japan Research Center of the University of International Business and Economics, told Global Times reporters on the 19th that leveraging the "China threat" to loosen the bottom line of the "three non-nuclear principles" poses significant risks for Japan's nuclear expansion and military strengthening. The Japanese side's portrayal of opposition and creation of security anxiety could easily trigger a regional arms race and undermine the foundation of the global nuclear non-proliferation system. In response, not only do neighboring countries strongly oppose this, but many places within Japan are also calling for strict adherence to the "three non-nuclear principles." Since the appointment of former Minister of State for Economic and Fiscal Policy Takaichi Sanae in October last year, at least 82 local councils in 25 prefectures across Japan have submitted opinions urging the Japanese government to uphold the "three non-nuclear principles" or to legalize them. According to Kyodo News, this reflects growing concerns among the public regarding the Japanese government's re-examination of the "three non-nuclear principles."

Japanese media: Kono's remarks are quite rare

According to reports from Japanese media such as the Japan Economic News and Asahi Shimbun on the 18th, Defense Minister Kono Shin'ichiro stated on an online program on the 17th that it is necessary for Japan to discuss nuclear weapons issues in the context of national security. He claimed that Japan's security environment has become increasingly severe, and "some topics are now even prohibited from public discussion; this situation must change." He cited changes in the European situation following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, such as France strengthening its nuclear deterrent and Finland allowing the deployment of nuclear weapons on its territory. In response to questions from opposition parties in Congress regarding the "three non-nuclear principles" and issues related to nuclear submarines, he countered, "Are we currently prioritizing adherence to existing frameworks over genuinely safeguarding Japan?"

Asahi Shimbun pointed out that as a current cabinet minister, Kono's remarks are quite rare, effectively discussing the necessity of re-examining the "three non-nuclear principles." The "three non-nuclear principles" refer to "not possessing, not producing, and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons." This principle has been Japan's basic policy regarding nuclear weapons since it was passed in the House of Representatives in 1971. The Japanese government plans to revise the "three security documents" within the year, and whether it will consider adjusting this principle will become a focal point of attention.

The Japan Economic News stated that as early as 2010, then-Foreign Minister Okada Katsuya had expressed that if nuclear-armed vessels were not allowed to temporarily dock in ports, Japan's security could not be guaranteed, and the government should make a decisive judgment that risks its political fate by allowing vessels to enter Japan. Kono Shin'ichiro has previously stated multiple times that the current government will continue Okada's position.

Kono's statement is not an isolated incident. Nikkei Asia reported on the 19th that the Japanese government is seeking to incorporate specific measures to strengthen the U.S. "extended nuclear deterrence" into the revision study of the "three security documents" at the end of the year, and the justification given in the report even involves China. Nikkei Asia sensationalized that on July 6, China's strategic nuclear submarine launched a submarine-launched strategic missile into the Pacific, with external assessments generally judging that the missile is the JL-3 submarine-launched missile with a range exceeding 10,000 kilometers, which means that China's strategic nuclear submarines can cover the U.S. East Coast while operating in the Pacific.

In the face of the aforementioned "threat," Nikkei Asia stated that Japan can only rely on the U.S. "extended nuclear deterrence," which is the U.S. commitment to use military force, including nuclear weapons, to protect its allies. Former National Security Council Secretary General Okano Masakatsu declared on the 15th that Japan, being close to China, Russia, and North Korea, must rely on the U.S. nuclear deterrent.

Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson Chen Xi stated on July 7 that China adheres to the path of peaceful development, pursues a defensive national defense policy, adheres to a self-defense nuclear strategy, and always maintains its nuclear capabilities at the minimum level required for national security, without engaging in a nuclear arms race with any country. Our modernization of nuclear forces aims to ensure national strategic security and maintain global strategic stability.

82 local opinion letters all call for adherence to the "three non-nuclear principles"

Lü Chao, director of the Institute of American and East Asian Studies at Liaoning University, told Global Times reporters on the 19th that Japan is currently creating a false public opinion of being "threatened," which is actually aimed at promoting "new militarism," especially focusing on developing the military industry and arms exports. The attitude of Western countries, including the U.S., towards Japan's actions is one of tacit approval or even indulgence, which is extremely dangerous.

The far-right political party Japan Innovation Party, an ally of the Liberal Democratic Party, even wants to go further. In June, the party submitted a proposal to the Japanese government regarding the revision of the "three security documents" within the year, positioning the U.S. "nuclear umbrella" as the core of national strategy; regarding the "three non-nuclear principles," it called for discussions based on reality to leave room for subsequent revisions. For the new generation of nuclear submarines capable of carrying long-range missiles, the proposal also advocated for "prompt introduction." According to Nikkei Asia, the proposal even claimed that if Japan refuses to allow U.S. attack submarines to dock in Japanese ports on the grounds of the "three non-nuclear principles," it would undermine the Japan-U.S. alliance.

External observers believe that Takaichi Sanae's position may have influenced the Japan Innovation Party's proposal. Japan's Jiji Press reported that Takaichi has consistently advocated for re-examining the "no introduction of nuclear weapons" clause. However, lawmakers within the Liberal Democratic Party who specialize in defense policy are cautious about hastily discussing this matter, with former Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru and Congressman Hamada Yasuki maintaining a certain distance from Takaichi on this issue.

Many places in Japan are also dissatisfied with the government's and ruling party's attempts to loosen the "three non-nuclear principles." According to previous reports by Kyodo News, within just eight months after Takaichi's government took office in October 2025, at least 82 councils in 25 prefectures submitted opinion letters to the central government and Congress, demanding adherence to the "three non-nuclear principles" or legalizing them. Public data from the Senate shows that during the Suga Yoshihide government, there were 0 such opinion letters, 3 during the Kishida Fumio government, and 0 during the Ishiba Shigeru government, while the number surged to 82 during Takaichi's government, with none advocating for the modification of the "three non-nuclear principles."

The Nagasaki Prefectural Assembly passed a related opinion letter on July 9, stating that as the only country in the world to have suffered a nuclear attack, Japan has a responsibility to inform the world of the threat of nuclear weapons; the "three non-nuclear principles" are the foundation for building regional stability and should be strictly adhered to. Hiroshima Prefectural Governor Yokota Mika stated on the 7th that as a region that suffered an atomic bombing, discussions about re-examining the "three non-nuclear principles" are intolerable. She expressed that "witnessing the real situation of the atomic bombing is crucial" and hopes that Prime Minister Takaichi, who is scheduled to visit Hiroshima on August 6, the "nuclear explosion day," will visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum.

Experts: Japan is at a dangerous crossroads

The China News, headquartered in Hiroshima, previously published an editorial stating that the debate over revising the "three non-nuclear principles" is particularly worthy of attention. The "three non-nuclear principles" reflect Japan's determination not to allow nuclear weapons to exist within its territory, and this must be upheld in the future without wavering. The Japanese government should immediately declare its abandonment of the idea of re-examination and revision, clearly committing to uphold the "three non-nuclear principles."

"Where will the 'three non-nuclear principles' go?" Japan's Mainichi Shimbun commented that the "three non-nuclear principles" are neither a unique concept exclusive to Japan nor a lofty principle that is one of a kind in the world; many countries have gone further. Although Japan should convey the concept of "nuclear taboo" to the world, it has not played a leading role in the nuclear disarmament movement. Moreover, domestic discussions on "nuclear possession" and "nuclear sharing" continue to rise, and the "three non-nuclear principles," which have been upheld for decades, are on the verge of collapse.

Lü Chao told Global Times reporters that some right-wing politicians in Japan are constantly revealing intentions to abandon the "three non-nuclear principles," which resonates with the repeated assertion during Abe's era of "becoming a normal country," against the backdrop of Japan's expanding "new militarism." Currently, Japan is at a dangerous crossroads regarding nuclear possession. If Japan abandons the "three non-nuclear principles" and develops nuclear weapons, it would pose an extreme danger to neighboring countries, the Asia-Pacific region, and even the entire world.

Wu Yingjie, a researcher at the Japan Research Center of the University of International Business and Economics, told Global Times reporters on the 19th that the current Japanese government has significantly increased defense spending and is attempting to modify the "three non-nuclear principles" and loosen nuclear control bottom lines, which has raised widespread concern and vigilance. Loosening the "three non-nuclear principles" not only affects domestic politics in Japan but also relates to the security landscape of the entire East Asia region. Regional peace cannot be achieved by creating imaginary enemies, nor can it be realized through arms expansion and loosening nuclear control. Upholding the post-war international order and maintaining the peace bottom line is essential to safeguarding lasting peace in the Asia-Pacific.