A source at the Prime Minister's Office in charge of security policy recently said, "I believe [Japan] should possess [nuclear weapons]." This individual had prefaced his remarks by saying it was only his personal opinion.
The same source also explained that the Takaichi administration has not discussed any possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons. He pointed out that Japan has acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and other factors. In that light, he added, it would be more realistic to seek to increase the credibility of the United States' extended deterrence, often called the nuclear umbrella.
In response to these reports, the leaders of the Constitutional Democratic Party (CDP), Komeito, and the Japan Communist Party (JCP) called for the official's dismissal. They cited his remarks as problematic.
Nevertheless, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi must not give in to calls for this person's sacking. That is because such a move would stifle free debate on how best to protect the Japanese people.
A Needed Debate
China and North Korea have criticized the remarks made by this official. However, there is no need to respond to their ludicrous, hypocritical attacks. Both of these regimes possess nuclear weapons and are busily strengthening their own nuclear capabilities.
For Japan, the point of the debate is how to safeguard the public, not merely whether or not to actually possess nuclear weapons. From that standpoint, making it taboo to merely mention the nuclear weapons option is the worst possible stance to adopt.
Japan is the only country in the world to have suffered atomic bombings during wartime. Therefore, the government must prioritize preventing its citizens from again suffering the horrors caused by nuclear weapons.
To do so, the government must consider and implement national security policies with a free and flexible mindset. That means no options should be excluded.
National security must consider other parties in mind. The government has no choice but to formulate security policies with countries that might constitute a threat ー as well as allies ー in mind. It is dangerous to assume that no possible situation would arise in which our country would be forced to possess nuclear weapons to protect Japanese citizens.
The 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles'
Since 1964-72, when Eisaku Sato was prime minister, Japan has adhered to the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" as official policy. In addition to the NPT regime, the US-Japan Nuclear Cooperation Agreement and the Atomic Energy Basic Act stipulate that Japan will only use nuclear energy for peaceful uses.
Taking these factors into consideration, the source in the Prime Minister's Office argued that the credibility of the US nuclear umbrella should be strengthened. Shouldn't that part of his remarks be emphasized?
This discussion must also consider the current level of human science and technology. Presently, the threat of nuclear weapons can only be deterred by the target country or its allies also possessing them.
The Japanese government has consistently maintained that nuclear deterrence is essential for national defense. Russia's threat to the survival of Ukraine has proven this to be the correct stance. Up to now, however, Japan has been in a position to advocate the three non-nuclear principles because it was convinced that it could rely on the nuclear shield provided by the United States.
Adhering to Journalistic Rules
The remarks made by the source at the Prime Minister's Office were reported, even though they had been spoken on an off the record basis. Unfortunately, those media broke the rules for off the record reporting.
Notably, this was not the first time. Takashi Kawakami, who served as an adviser to the Cabinet Secretariat in the previous Shigeru Ishiba administration, also advocated Japan acquiring a nuclear capability. It is telling, however, that his comments did not cause any uproar like this one.
We have to question the double standard displayed by some media companies and political parties.
RELATED:
- A Chronicle of American Attitudes toward Japan's Nuclear Armament
- China's ICBM Progress Marks a New Phase in Nuclear Competition
- Takaichi Cabinet Eyes Shift in Nuclear Policy Amid Regional Security Concerns
(Read the editorial in Japanese.)
Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun
