Reference News Network, December 23 report: According to the Kyodo News website, on December 22, Japan's Constitutional Democratic Party leader Hashimoto Yoshihiko again called on the country's Prime Minister Takahashi Hayato to quickly replace an official within the Prime Minister's Office who made remarks stating "Japan should possess nuclear weapons."
The report stated that Hashimoto, speaking in Ushio City, Hiroshima Prefecture, said: "It is problematic to place someone who supports 'nuclear possession' in that position. This is the responsibility of the appointing authority, and I hope (the Prime Minister) will respond as soon as possible."
Regarding the Kono administration's ongoing discussions about amending the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, Hashimoto pointed out: "My concern is that their understanding of nuclear issues has already undergone a fundamental deviation."
On the 18th, an official from the Prime Minister's Office made a private comment to reporters, saying "I think (Japan) should have nuclear weapons," which immediately sparked widespread criticism.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/7586911299104997951/
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