In Tokyo on November 16, Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said she is looking at a possible change to Japan’s long‑standing Three Non‑Nuclear Principles. The rules, adopted by the Diet in 1967, prohibit Japan from possessing, producing or allowing nuclear weapons on its soil. Takaichi is reportedly debating a tweak to the third principle – the ban on nuclear weapons coming into Japan – as part of a review of the National Security Strategy and two other key documents that were last updated in 2022.
If the principle is altered, it would signal a big shift in Japan’s security stance and likely trigger criticism at home and abroad. The government has always claimed it would keep the “no‑possession” and “no‑production” parts of the policy unchanged. Yet Takaichi says allowing foreign nuclear‑armed warships, particularly from the United States, to visit Japanese ports could strengthen U.S. deterrence capabilities.
The Asian media and political commentators have taken note. At a recent Lower House Budget Committee hearing, Takaichi stopped short of telling lawmakers whether she would maintain the traditional Three Non‑Nuclear Principles. The editorial team at Asahi Shimbun pointed out that these principles have become a national symbol for a country that endured atomic bombings, and many Japanese citizens strongly support them.
Takaichi’s proposal comes as Japan balances its close security partnership with the U.S. and its long‑held commitment to a nuclear‑free homeland. Whether the policy will change hinges on careful deliberation from the Japanese government and a clear understanding of how any shift would affect national safety and international relations.
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