Demonstrators stage a rally before the Diet in Tokyo, Japan, 21 November 2025. Nihon Hidankyo, the Japan Confederation of A-and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, and others political organizations and unions, staged a protest in front of the Japanese Parliament after the new Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi criticized her country's traditional policy against nuclear weapons. Photo: VCG

Remarks by an unnamed official from Japan's Prime Minister's Office, cited by Japanese media on Thursday, that "Japan should possess nuclear weapons" have continued to spark criticism within the country. Some figures in Japan's political and legal circles, including former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani and House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe, have stated that such opinions should not be expressed lightly. Political parties such as the Social Democratic Party and the Japanese Communist Party have also voiced their opposition to Japan possessing nuclear weapons on social media.

Meanwhile, some Japanese media outlets such as Nikkei and Mainichi reported that such remarks were made during an off-the-record interview with the press.

Given Japan's "severe security environment," an official unnamed was quoted as saying in the Asahi Shimbun that he personally believes that "Japan should possess nuclear weapons." The official is responsible for advising Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on security policies and related matters, according to the report. 

However, he also claimed that this does not mean that the Japanese government is currently advancing discussions on the issue, and achieving this goal would be extremely difficult considering Japan's obligations under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) framework.

Nikkei cited this unnamed official claiming that the remarks were made during an off-the-record interview with the press. At the same time, the official noted that such a move is not practical in reality.

During the informal interview, when asked about his views on nuclear armament, the official reiterated that nuclear possession is necessary and explained, "In the end, we can only rely on ourselves," the official also added, "This is not something that can be done as easily as going to a convenience store," according to Nikkei.

The official was expressing only his personal view, Mainichi reported, saying that when asked whether the Prime Minister would reconsider the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles," he replied, "I'm not sure, as it hasn't been discussed, but I don't think the Prime Minister holds such a view." 

The official also noted that the Japanese government is not currently considering the issue, according to Mainichi. 

Responding to the reports, former Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said on Friday that "this is not something to be discussed lightly. The government must respond appropriately, according to Japanese news outlet Kumanichi. 

Calling the report "shocking," Japan's Social Democratic Party (SDP) said in a social media post late Thursday that "Precisely because Japan has experienced the devastation wrought by nuclear weapons, shouldn't we cherish and pursue peace even more?" the SDP said.

Reiterating its opposition to Japan possessing nuclear weapons, the party added, "Let us continue a peaceful postwar era in which no one kills and no one is killed."

This is shocking news, the Social Democratic Party (SDP) of Japan said on late Thursday evening on social media.

"Our country, upholding the Peace Constitution and adhering to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, has built postwar society and earned the trust of other nations through peaceful diplomacy. Precisely because Japan has experienced the devastation caused by nuclear weapons, shouldn't we cherish and pursue peace even more?" SDP asked. 

The SDP opposes Japan possessing nuclear weapons. Let us continue a peaceful postwar era where no one kills and no one is killed, it said. 

House of Councillors member Taku Yamazoe said on social media that: The theory of nuclear deterrence is nothing but an illusion; nuclear weapons, which bring hellish devastation, can only be abolished. Those who do not hold this stance have no right to wield Japan's political power." 

"Impossible. It should never be,"Japanese Communist Party said on Friday on social media. 

Japanese attorney Masaki Kito also called on social media on Thursday night that such "trial balloon" articles should stop, and the identity of this senior official in the PM's office should be made clear. 

In recent days, the Takaichi administration has continuously signaled a push to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, and this Prime Minister's Office source who made the recent remarks reportedly participates in the cabinet's security policy formulation and is likely an insider or a figure of considerable influence, Da Zhigang, director of the Institute of Northeast Asian Studies at the Heilongjiang Provincial Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Friday. 

"His statements align with Takaichi administration's stance on revising the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and, objectively, serve to shape public opinion and test reactions from various parties. Such comments warrant vigilance from the international community," Da said. 

In response to the Takaichi administration's negative moves on the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, the Chinse Foreign Ministry's spokesperson Lin Jian said in mid-November that China is seriously concerned over Japan's military and security moves recently. 

While Japan claims to be a peace-loving country and advocates a world free of nuclear weapons, the Sanae Takaichi administration has been making ambiguous statements about the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and implying the possibility of quitting the principles. Japanese senior officials even claimed that Japan has not ruled out the possibility of possessing nuclear submarines. These fully reveal that Japan is making a major negative policy shift, which sends a dangerous signal to the international community, Lin said.