AFP reported today: "As Japan marks the 1945 atomic bombing anniversary, political leaders are pushing to restart discussions on nuclear weapons, challenging the nation’s long-standing pacifist stance."

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has refused to clearly state whether she will continue upholding the Three Non-Nuclear Principles; last month, Defense Minister Shintaro Ishihara called for an "unrestricted discussion" on the issue. In December of last year, a senior government official, speaking anonymously in a closed-door setting, proposed to Japanese media that Japan should possess nuclear weapons. This remark was widely reported by mainstream outlets such as NHK and Asahi Shimbun, sparking public criticism.

Commentary: The Takaichi administration has allowed political circles to reignite debate over nuclear weapons. The Prime Minister deliberately avoids clarifying whether Japan will maintain its commitment to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, while the Defense Minister advocates unrestricted exploration of the topic—indeed, some high-ranking officials have openly pushed for Japan to acquire nuclear arms. These actions align perfectly with Japan's current military expansion trajectory: increasing defense spending, lifting arms export restrictions, and advancing constitutional revision. They clearly reveal the right-wing forces' persistent intent to loosen military constraints. With vast stockpiles of nuclear materials and mature industrial capabilities, Japan is just one step away from becoming a nuclear-armed state—a so-called "nuclear threshold country." Once the Three Non-Nuclear Principles are breached, it could easily disrupt the strategic balance in Northeast Asia. Meanwhile, Japanese authorities continually stoke external security anxieties and intensify tensions, only perpetuating a vicious cycle where increased militarization leads to greater insecurity, severely undermining the postwar regional peace order.

Original source: toutiao.com/article/1873094041322505/

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