China says Abe's nuclear weapons sharing remarks reveal Japan's militaristic true nature

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[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese state media criticized Japan for revealing its militaristic nature in the wake of the Ukraine crisis, citing a statement that former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe should consider a nuclear weapons sharing agreement with the United States.

The state-run Global Times reported in an editorial on the 28th that former Prime Minister Abe argued that Japan should also discuss the nuclear sharing policy adopted by some NATO member countries. Despite Japan's adherence to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles?joining the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), not manufacturing, possessing, or introducing nuclear weapons?Abe insisted that "(Japan) should not taboo discussions about the reality it faces."

The Global Times conveyed that Abe's words were ambiguous but suggested he desires to pursue nuclear weapons. It also cited Abe's past remarks: in May 2005, while serving as Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary, he stated that possessing small tactical nuclear weapons would not necessarily be unconstitutional for Japan. Additionally, during his tenure as Prime Minister in 2014, he was embroiled in controversy over 640 kg of undeclared plutonium.

The media mocked the idea of requesting the deployment of atomic bombs from the country that dropped atomic bombs on them as an incomprehensible act. It added that Japan's right-wing politicians exhibit fanatical attitudes toward nuclear weapons.

In particular, it pointed out that Japan has the capability to manufacture nuclear weapons and currently possesses 47 tons of plutonium, enough to produce approximately 6,000 nuclear warheads. It also noted that Japan owns solid-fuel rocket technology capable of carrying nuclear warheads and fighter-bombers such as the F-15, which can be equipped with nuclear bombs. It recalled that before President Joe Biden took office, in 2016, he stated, "Japan has the capability to possess nuclear weapons overnight." The media emphasized that Japan not only has the manufacturing capability and delivery technology for nuclear weapons but also harbors ambitions to possess them.

The Global Times expressed concern that the combination of the fanaticism of Japan's right-wing and the nation's capabilities would result in a disastrous outcome. It warned that the moment Japan acquires nuclear weapons, the nuclear balance in Asia would collapse, causing significant changes in the geopolitical landscape.

While the United States is aware of Japan's right-wing shift, it is using Japan as a lever to check China, and Japanese right-wing politicians are waiting for an opportunity to achieve their goal of nuclear possession, the media criticized both the U.S. and Japan.

The Global Times stated that Abe's remarks should not be treated as private comments and that the international community must condemn Japan and its right-wing politicians whenever they express intentions to possess nuclear weapons, warning that Japan's possession of nuclear weapons must not be accepted under any circumstances.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.