China Slaps Back at Japanese Defense Minister's Remarks on Nuclear Debate, Calling It Intent to Arm with Nuclear Weapons

▲ Guo Jiakun, Spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The Chinese government strongly pushed back against remarks by Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi regarding the possibility of discussing nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines during the revision of Japan's three major security documents, stating that it reveals an "intent to acquire nuclear weapons."

During a regular press briefing on September 30, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to a request for comment on the remarks, saying, "The possession of nuclear weapons is not a matter of whether the Japanese side wants to discuss it or not."

Guo argued, "Japan is a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Not to accept, manufacture, possess, or introduce nuclear weapons is an international legal obligation that Japan cannot evade, and there is no room for negotiation."

Previously, on September 28, Defense Minister Koizumi mentioned the nuclear capabilities of China and Russia as well as North Korea's nuclear development during an appearance on BS Fuji, stating that discussions regarding the possession of nuclear weapons and nuclear-propelled submarines should not be ruled out during the revision of Japan's "three major security documents," including the National Security Strategy.

"If we are not even allowed to hold discussions without setting taboos or predetermining conclusions, it feels somewhat detached from my sense of crisis," he had emphasized, adding that Japan must securely build the capabilities to counter threats targeting it.

In response, Spokesperson Guo pointed out that Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi reaffirmed her stance to uphold the Three Non-Nuclear Principles in February of this year, and that the Japanese representative attending the NPT-related meeting last May also repeatedly confirmed that the principles would not be changed.

The Three Non-Nuclear Principles, meaning "not possessing, not producing, and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons," have been considered a national policy of Japan for over half a century.

Guo claimed, "The reckless remarks by the incumbent head of Japan's defense sector calling to 'discuss nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines without taboos' constitute a serious provocation and blatant violation of the NPT and the post-World War II international order," adding, "It severely contradicts the Three Non-Nuclear Principles professed by Japan and once again exposes the intention of Japanese right-wing forces to arm themselves with nuclear weapons."

Furthermore, he criticized, "In recent years, Japan has continuously accelerated its remilitarization process," arguing that Japan is attempting a "gradual relaxation of nuclear-related restrictions" by abandoning the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, strengthening so-called extended deterrence, and pursuing the deployment of nuclear weapons within Japan.

Mentioning that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the opening of the International Military Tribunal for the Far East (the Tokyo Trials), Spokesperson Guo remarked, "History has not forgotten and will never forget the severe disasters that Japanese militarism brought to the peoples of Asia and the world."

(Photo provided by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Yonhap News)

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