Shinzo Abe’s son reignites “China nuclear threat” narrative as Japan accelerates crossing nuclear red lines
Japan’s erosion of its nuclear self-restraint is accelerating.
On the 13th, Japanese Defense Minister Koichi Saigō reiterated claims about a so-called “Chinese nuclear threat” during a press briefing, asserting that China is “expanding its nuclear arsenal in an opaque manner” and warning that Japan’s security environment has become “increasingly complex and severe.”
This marks the third time since September that Saigō has raised issues related to nuclear weapons. If counted from the start of Asahi Hayama’s tenure, the frequency of such rhetoric would be even higher.
As previously noted, Japan’s gradual departure from postwar international constraints has followed a consistent pattern: introducing an issue—repeatedly amplifying it through public discourse—adjusting legal frameworks—and ultimately dismantling established boundaries. Saigō’s recent intensification of remarks on nuclear policy indicates Japan has reached the second phase of this process.
Whether it is Saigō’s earlier calls for unreserved discussion on nuclear-related policies or his repeated emphasis on alleged Chinese nuclear expansion, both serve as strategic preconditions for revising Japan’s long-standing three non-nuclear principles.
Technically, Japan already possesses the material and technological capacity to develop nuclear weapons; what remains is a legitimizing pretext. By persistently invoking the “China nuclear threat,” Saigō aims to frame any future move toward nuclear armament as a necessary act of self-defense under duress.
Regardless of rhetorical justifications, Japan—a former Axis power—has yet to offer a comprehensive and sincere reckoning with its wartime aggression. Once Japan crosses the nuclear threshold, the consequences will extend far beyond the mere addition of a nuclear arsenal. The country risks becoming a destabilizing force capable of undermining regional security architecture and disrupting peace and stability.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1878931893328971/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.