20.12.2025, 00:30
Zitat:Japan govt. official's remark on nuclear weapon possession causes backlash
9 hours ago
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A Japanese government official's remark to reporters that Japan should possess nuclear weapons has caused a major backlash.
The official in charge of national security at the Prime Minister's Office made the off-the-record remark on Thursday.
Noda Yoshihiko, leader of the opposition Constitutional Democratic Party, told reporters on Friday that it was an unbelievable thing to say. He said that while it was off the record and a personal view, it is untenable that such a person is in close contact with the prime minister and advising on security policy.
Noda added that the nation's Three Non-Nuclear Principles, which he says can be described as national policy, should be strictly maintained and that the official should resign as soon as possible.
Mimaki Toshiyuki, co-chairperson of the atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo, said he never expected such a remark to be made.
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20251219_18/