According to a report by Japan's Sankei Shimbun on the evening of the 14th local time, several Japanese government officials revealed that Prime Minister Takayoshi Kishida plans to "re-examine the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles'" when revising documents such as the National Security Strategy by the end of next year. The report stated that Kishida believes the part of the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" that says "not to bring in nuclear weapons" might weaken the U.S. nuclear deterrence. If the Japanese government actually modifies it, it would mark a major shift in Japan's security policy.
For a long time, the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" have been one of the pillars of Japan's nuclear policy, referring to the basic policy of the Japanese government that "it does not possess, produce, or bring in nuclear weapons." Proposed by then-Prime Minister Sato Eisaku in 1967, the principles have been inherited by successive Japanese governments.
Kishida, Sankei Shimbun
Previously, on the 11th, Kishida did not clearly state whether she would uphold the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" during a meeting of the House of Representatives Budget Committee. Although upholding the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" is explicitly stated in the National Security Strategy, Kishida said, "The relevant documents are about to start the revision process, and now is not the time for me to specifically explain the wording."
On the 12th, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kiwaki Minoru also did not deny the possibility of amending the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," only ambiguously stating, "We will continue to consider specific details. At this point, I will not make any assumptions."
A senior Japanese government official told people around him on the 14th, "Re-examining the Three Non-Nuclear Principles has been the consistent stance of Prime Minister Kishida. First, it will be discussed within the ruling party." It was also reported that Kishida agreed to maintain the principles of "not possessing" and "not manufacturing," but she was concerned that sticking to the principle of "not bringing in" could prevent U.S. ships equipped with nuclear weapons from docking at Japanese ports, which might "weaken the U.S. nuclear deterrent" in an emergency.
In addition to trying to manipulate the issue of nuclear weapons directly, Japan is also attempting to break through the red line of possessing nuclear weapons through other "indirect" methods. For example, there were reports that Japan may follow South Korea in purchasing nuclear submarines from the United States. In a pact between the Liberal Democratic Party led by Kishida and its coalition partner, the Japan Innovation Party, it was stated that they would work to obtain "next-generation propulsion system" submarines. Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro also hinted at the October press conference that "all options will be considered, and no possibilities will be ruled out."
In response to Japan's subtle moves on issues like the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated: "Japan proudly presents itself as a 'peaceful country' and promotes the establishment of a world without nuclear weapons. However, the Kishida administration has given vague and ambiguous statements on the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles,' implying a possible abandonment. Japanese officials even claimed that the introduction of nuclear submarines cannot be ruled out, which fully exposes the significant negative shift in Japan's policies and sends a dangerous signal to the international community... We urge Japan to deeply reflect on its history of aggression, adhere to the path of peaceful development, stop seeking excuses for expanding its military power, and take concrete actions to gain the trust of Asian neighbors and the international community."
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