Japan gov't affirms no-nuke policy, stays mum on official's nuclear remarks

TOKYO - Japan is committed to its non-nuclear principles, the top government spokesman said Friday, downplaying remarks by an official a day earlier supporting possession of nuclear weapons in a deviation from long-standing policy.

The remarks have triggered calls from both the ruling and opposition party members to dismiss the official, who is involved in devising security policy and is believed to be close to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. They also sparked an outcry from atomic bomb survivors who have long campaigned to rid the world of nuclear weapons.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara told a press conference that the government's policy is to maintain the so-called three non-nuclear principles, which prohibit possessing, producing, or permitting the introduction of nuclear arms.

Asked whether the official in question should remain in their post, Kihara was evasive and only said he will refrain from commenting on "each and every media report."

As the only country to have suffered atomic bombing during war, Japan's position is to carry on "realistic and practical measures to achieve a world without nuclear weapons for the purpose of maintaining and strengthening" the global nuclear disarmament regime under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, Kihara said.

"Since the end of the war, our country has consistently contributed to the peace and prosperity of the international community. There is no change in this stance," he also said.

The official who came under fire had said in an informal exchange with reporters, "I think we should possess nuclear weapons," while at the same time indicating such a move was unrealistic and denying having discussing with Takaichi about reviewing the non-nuclear principles.

Takaichi, who took office in late October and is known for her hawkish views on security, is pushing for a defense policy shift amid the increasingly tough security environment, including a review of the non-nuclear principles deemed as national credo.

While upholding a pacifist Constitution since the end of World War II, Japan relies on U.S. nuclear deterrence for protection, which some critics say already contradicts the non-nuclear principles.

Former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, called for the official to be replaced, telling reporters Friday that the prime minister "should carefully select personnel to avoid her Cabinet being labeled as one made up of her friends."

Takeshi Iwaya, who has served in foreign and defense ministerial posts, said the remarks' timing on the year of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II "throws cold water on Japan's efforts to play a part in disarmament."

Tetsuo Saito, leader of the Komeito party known for its dovish stance on defense issues and formerly a coalition partner of the LDP, said the remarks "warrant removal."

Yoshihiko Noda, leader of the largest opposition force the Constitutional Democratic Party of Japan, said he was "very surprised" by them.

"It's hard to believe (what the individual said)...It is reasonable to have the person quickly resign," Noda told a press conference.

In a statement, Japan's leading atomic bomb survivors group Nihon Hidankyo, which received last year's Nobel Peace Prize, said the remarks "ignore the existence of atomic bomb survivors, condone nuclear war and are absolutely unforgivable."

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, meanwhile, left open the possibility of Japan reviewing its non-nuclear principles in the future.

"To protect people's peaceful life, it is only natural that we make considerations without excluding any options," he told a press conference.

China, which is in a deepening rift with Japan over Taiwan and its military activities, took up the official's nuclear remarks to again criticize the neighboring country.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun told a press conference that if the reported remarks were true, the situation is "quite serious" and the international community "must be highly vigilant and seriously concerned."