Japanese Defense Minister Repeats Call for "No Taboos" in Security Talks, Stirring Debate Over Three Non-Nuclear Principles

▲ Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has once again stated that security policies, including nuclear deterrence, should be discussed "without taboos," drawing renewed attention to the possibility of revisiting Japan's Three Non-Nuclear Principles.

According to the Asahi Shimbun and other outlets today, Defense Minister Koizumi made the remarks to reporters on July 22 (local time) in Belgium following a meeting with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, saying regarding nuclear issues, "If we do not discuss things without placing any taboos, no country can secure its own national security alone anymore."

Prior to his visit to Belgium, Koizumi visited France, where he also remarked, "France is looking to change its nuclear policy and demonstrate new movements."

This statement effectively reiterates remarks Koizumi made recently during an appearance on an internet broadcast program.

Speaking on the internet talk show "Genron TV," which was released on July 17, he said, "For Japan, it is a difficult subject to discuss, but nuclear weapons are one of the issues that we cannot avoid mentioning."

He then cited France's reinforcement of its nuclear capabilities and Finland's push to allow the introduction of nuclear weapons following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, emphasizing that Japan, too, must "have a sense of crisis and discuss and pursue all policies without taboos."

The Asahi Shimbun reported that as Defense Minister Koizumi repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of nuclear-related discussions, attention is focusing on the potential revision of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles in connection with the upcoming revision of the three key security documents scheduled for later this year.

The Three Non-Nuclear Principles—stating that Japan will not possess, manufacture, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons—have been regarded as a national policy of Japan for over half a century, and any actual revision is expected to cause significant domestic and international repercussions.

In response, Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara, the government's top spokesperson, stated at a press conference the previous day, "As a government, we maintain the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as a matter of policy."

When asked whether the Three Non-Nuclear Principles would be reexamined, he avoided giving a clear answer, stating, "Discussions will proceed moving forward, so I will refrain from answering with preconceptions at this point."

(Photo: Getty Images)

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