Fukuoka TNC News report titled “Former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba: "It will absolutely not benefit Japan" — comments on "nuclear possession" remarks by government officials, warns "nuclear energy policy would collapse" in live broadcast” Photo: screenshot from Fukuoka TNC News

The reported claims that Japan should have nuclear weapons by a senior government official, who advises Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on security, continue to draw backlashes. The former Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba commented on Saturday that acquiring nuclear weapons would "absolutely not benefit Japan," Japanese media reported. 

According to Fukuoka TNC News, Ishiba appeared live on Fuji TV's news program from the TNC studio in Fukuoka City, commenting on the “nuclear weapon possession” remarks by government officials that acquiring nuclear weapons would "absolutely not benefit Japan." 

"(The remarks) were made off the record as personal opinions, and it is unclear who made them." He added, "If our country were to possess nuclear weapons, we would have to withdraw from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)," noting that "above all, Japan's nuclear energy policy, which supports its energy needs, would become unsustainable," Fukuoka TNC News reported.

Furthermore, according to the report, while claiming that "the security implications of possessing nuclear weapons cannot be denied," he asserted that "it would absolutely not benefit Japan."

On Thursday, an unnamed official 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. 

At a press conference on Friday, when Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi speaking about a possible review of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles, he claimed that in order to fully protect the lives of Japanese citizens and their peaceful way of life, it is necessary to discuss all options without excluding any, Jiji Press reported. 
Also on Friday, Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara claimed that Japan is committed to its non-nuclear principles, which the Kyodo News commented as "downplaying remarks" by an official a day earlier supporting possession of nuclear weapons in a deviation from long-standing policy.

In response to the "nuclear possession remarks," harsh criticism has emerged from both ruling and opposition parties, Fukuoka TNC News reported.

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."

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun warned on Friday that the Japanese side must deeply reflect on its historical crimes, abide by international law and Japan's Constitution, stop finding excuses to expand military buildup, and stop testing the bottom line and red line of international justice on the issue of owning nuclear weapons following reports that a senior government official who advises Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi on security expressed a personal opinion that Japan should have nuclear weapons.

China is closely following the report. If that's true, it will be a serious issue that exposes the dangerous attempts by some in Japan to breach international law and possess nuclear weapons. China and the rest of the international community must stay on high alert and express grave concern, Guo said at the regular press conference.