Experts: Japan's discussion of abandoning the nuclear non-proliferation principle highlights its militaristic approach

Valery Kistyanov, head of the Japanese Center at the Institute of China and Modern Asia of the Russian Academy of Sciences, told Sputnik News that Japan will not abandon its "nuclear non-proliferation principle" in the near future. However, the fact that Japan is discussing the abandonment of these principles is unprecedented, reflecting Japan's current stance of enhancing its military strength.

Previously, the "Mainichi Shimbun" reported, citing sources within the government and ruling coalition, that Prime Minister Asahi Takahashi has begun considering intra-party discussions on re-examining the so-called "three non-nuclear principles" due to plans to update the national security strategy document.

Kistyanov said, "This is an unprecedented move because throughout the post-war period, Japan has positioned itself as a country that abandoned the use of war to resolve international disputes and conflicts. However, in recent years, things have changed. Japan is abandoning these principles and beginning to blur them."

Kistyanov emphasized that the new prime minister of Japan is considered a nationalist and right-wing politician who believes that China, North Korea, and even Russia pose a threat to Japan. He added that Japan is using all these threats as an excuse to change its security principles.

Kistyanov concluded, "Japan is unlikely to seriously reconsider these principles in the near future; this will lead to serious deterioration in relations with neighboring countries. Moreover, even this move is not welcomed by the United States, as it means Japan will exit the U.S. 'nuclear umbrella' and its influence. But this discussion is a test, which to some extent reflects Japan's position that it needs to formulate a stronger and more explicit policy to defend its interests and enhance its military strength."

After World War II, Japan adopted a set of restrictive rules formed by Prime Minister Sato Eisaku and approved by the Diet in 1971: "1. Not to produce nuclear weapons; 2. Not to store nuclear weapons on its territory; 3. Japan does not import nuclear weapons." This was part of Japan's national ideology after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1848857766059143/

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