"Japan also shares nuclear weapons?" What is the Japanese government's response?

Japan has effectively expressed opposition to nuclear sharing with the United States.

On the 28th, Yoshimasa Hayashi, Japan's Foreign Minister, stated that "the Japanese government has no intention of discussing" nuclear sharing with the U.S. He added, "Nuclear sharing is not recognized due to its conflict with the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles.'

Hayashi Yoshimasa, Japanese Foreign Minister
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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Earlier, a Japanese journalist asked Foreign Minister Hayashi about concerns that nuclear sharing might also take place in Japan.

The Three Non-Nuclear Principles refer to Japan's government policy of not manufacturing, possessing, or introducing nuclear weapons.

In February last year, former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe made remarks suggesting the need to discuss NATO-style nuclear sharing. This sparked controversy over the taboo of 'nuclear sharing' in Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings.

However, at that time, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida drew a clear line during a parliamentary session, stating, "We do not intend to discuss (nuclear sharing)."

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