Prime Minister Kishida, in Chugoku Shimbun interview, stresses adherence to Japan’s three non-nuclear principles, calls Russia’s nuclear weapons threat “unacceptable”
Mar. 6, 2022
by Koji Higuchi, Staff Writer
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (representing Hiroshima Prefecture’s District No. 1) engaged in a written interview with the Chugoku Shimbun about Russia’s suggestion that nuclear weapons use was on the table following that country’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Kishida roundly criticized the behavior of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also dismissed the policy of “nuclear sharing” raised by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (representing Yamaguchi Prefecture’s District No. 4), an approach designed to deploy U.S. nuclear weapons on Japan’s territory under joint control of the two countries. He expressed his determination to strictly adhere to Japan’s three non-nuclear principles and to continue calling on the international community to achieve nuclear disarmament.
Prime Minister Kishida criticized Russia for placing its nuclear forces on high alert, calling it an “outrageous” move. As a prime minister elected from the A-bombed Hiroshima, Mr. Kishida responded that he is “making strong appeals at diplomatic summits and international conferences that any threat of use of nuclear weapons, let alone actual use, is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.”
Mr. Abe said that debate on the nuclear-sharing policy “should not be considered taboo,” with some members of the Liberal Democratic Party and opposition parties seeming to come around to his point of view. Mr. Kishida has made clear his stance that he will strictly adhere to Japan’s three non-nuclear principles of not producing, not possessing, and not allowing the entry of nuclear weapons into the country, pointing out that “a nuclear-sharing policy would not be allowed given Japan’s strict adherence to its three non-nuclear principles and its relationship to the rule of law, including the Basic Atomic Energy Act, which stipulates that atomic energy use shall be limited to peaceful purposes.”
Fear of their use will never disappear so long as nuclear weapons exist in this world. Japan’s national government has turned its back on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which prohibits not only their use but also the development and possession of nuclear weapons. Has the administration ever considered changing its stance? While Mr. Kishida admits that “the TPNW is an important off-ramp for pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons,” he persists in his stance that Japan will not ratify the treaty because not one of the nuclear weapon states, which claim that “cooperation is necessary to change reality,” has joined the treaty.
What is the impact on the international movement toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation? What should be done? Prime Minister Kishida said that “the international community needs to unite together to handle Russia with a strongly resolute attitude.” He also explained his initiative to form “an international group of eminent persons conference toward a world without nuclear weapons,” which would serve as a venue to come together in unity. The first such conference meeting is scheduled to be held in Hiroshima sometime this year.
Mr. Kishida emphasized his thinking that “it is important for nuclear weapon states, non-nuclear weapon states, and TPNW participating and non-participating countries to put aside their differences and come up with ideas for a concrete path toward realization of a world free from nuclear weapons.” He added passionately, “I would like both active and former political leaders of various countries to become involved in the conference group to enhance international momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.”
The A-bombed city of Hiroshima has consistently called for the abolition of nuclear weapons. As the prime minister with his base in Hiroshima, how do you view the current situation in which Russia, which invaded Ukraine, has suggested it might use nuclear weapons?
It is outrageous that Russia has placed its nuclear forces on high alert. As prime minister of the only nation to have experienced nuclear attacks during wartime who was elected from the A-bombed Hiroshima, I have been making strong appeals at diplomatic summits and international conferences that any threat of use of nuclear weapons, let alone actual use, is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (representing Yamaguchi Prefecture’s District No. 4) said that debate on the nuclear-sharing policy should not be considered taboo. Some members of the Liberal Democratic Party and opposition parties have come around to his point of view, insisting that the nuclear-sharing policy should be debated and the three non-nuclear principles be revisited. How do you view that situation and what is your response to it?
I understand that the “nuclear sharing” referred to here is a framework under which the host nation shares in U.S. nuclear deterrence by deploying American nuclear arms on its territory, enabling its warplanes and other equipment to be equipped with the weapons for readiness to use if necessary. The policy would not be allowed in Japan given the country’s strict adherence to its three non-nuclear principles and its relationship to the rule of law, including the Basic Atomic Energy Act, which stipulates that atomic energy use shall be limited to peaceful purposes.
Japan’s national government has exhibited a cautious stance on attending the meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as an observer. In light of the invasion of Ukraine, explain again what you think about the treaty, whether Japan will participate in the meeting, and why or why not.
As a prime minister from the A-bombed Hiroshima, I will continue to do my utmost to achieve a “world free from nuclear weapons.” The TPNW is an important off-ramp for pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons. However, not one of the nuclear weapon states, which claim that cooperation is necessary to change reality, has joined the treaty. As the only nation to have experienced a nuclear attack during wartime, Japan must make every effort to involve the nuclear powers rather than worrying about whether Japan will participate in the meeting as an observer.
With that in mind, the relationship we enjoy with the United States, Japan’s only true ally, is all the more important. In January, I participated in a teleconference with U.S. President Joe Biden, whereby we were able to confirm our shared desire to work together to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, thereby taking the first step toward forging a relationship of trust with that administration. I will work to steadily advance practical efforts in cooperation with the United States.
What do you think about the impact of Russia’s behavior, intimating that it might use nuclear weapons, on the international movement toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation? How should the international community respond to such acts?
The international community needs to unite together to handle Russia with a strongly resolute attitude. Because of situations such as this one, Japan will continue to make tenacious efforts toward enhancing international momentum in the direction of nuclear disarmament through the establishment of an international group of eminent persons conference toward a world without nuclear weapons.
With such a conference, I think it is important for nuclear weapon states, non-nuclear weapon states, and TPNW participating and non-participating countries to put aside their differences and come up with ideas for a concrete path toward realization of a world free from nuclear weapons. In addition to experts from home and abroad, I would like both active and former political leaders of a variety of countries to become involved in the conference group to enhance international momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on March 6, 2022)
Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida (representing Hiroshima Prefecture’s District No. 1) engaged in a written interview with the Chugoku Shimbun about Russia’s suggestion that nuclear weapons use was on the table following that country’s invasion of Ukraine. Mr. Kishida roundly criticized the behavior of Russian President Vladimir Putin. He also dismissed the policy of “nuclear sharing” raised by former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (representing Yamaguchi Prefecture’s District No. 4), an approach designed to deploy U.S. nuclear weapons on Japan’s territory under joint control of the two countries. He expressed his determination to strictly adhere to Japan’s three non-nuclear principles and to continue calling on the international community to achieve nuclear disarmament.
Prime Minister Kishida criticized Russia for placing its nuclear forces on high alert, calling it an “outrageous” move. As a prime minister elected from the A-bombed Hiroshima, Mr. Kishida responded that he is “making strong appeals at diplomatic summits and international conferences that any threat of use of nuclear weapons, let alone actual use, is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.”
Mr. Abe said that debate on the nuclear-sharing policy “should not be considered taboo,” with some members of the Liberal Democratic Party and opposition parties seeming to come around to his point of view. Mr. Kishida has made clear his stance that he will strictly adhere to Japan’s three non-nuclear principles of not producing, not possessing, and not allowing the entry of nuclear weapons into the country, pointing out that “a nuclear-sharing policy would not be allowed given Japan’s strict adherence to its three non-nuclear principles and its relationship to the rule of law, including the Basic Atomic Energy Act, which stipulates that atomic energy use shall be limited to peaceful purposes.”
Fear of their use will never disappear so long as nuclear weapons exist in this world. Japan’s national government has turned its back on the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW), which prohibits not only their use but also the development and possession of nuclear weapons. Has the administration ever considered changing its stance? While Mr. Kishida admits that “the TPNW is an important off-ramp for pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons,” he persists in his stance that Japan will not ratify the treaty because not one of the nuclear weapon states, which claim that “cooperation is necessary to change reality,” has joined the treaty.
What is the impact on the international movement toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation? What should be done? Prime Minister Kishida said that “the international community needs to unite together to handle Russia with a strongly resolute attitude.” He also explained his initiative to form “an international group of eminent persons conference toward a world without nuclear weapons,” which would serve as a venue to come together in unity. The first such conference meeting is scheduled to be held in Hiroshima sometime this year.
Mr. Kishida emphasized his thinking that “it is important for nuclear weapon states, non-nuclear weapon states, and TPNW participating and non-participating countries to put aside their differences and come up with ideas for a concrete path toward realization of a world free from nuclear weapons.” He added passionately, “I would like both active and former political leaders of various countries to become involved in the conference group to enhance international momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.”
Full text of written interview with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida
The A-bombed city of Hiroshima has consistently called for the abolition of nuclear weapons. As the prime minister with his base in Hiroshima, how do you view the current situation in which Russia, which invaded Ukraine, has suggested it might use nuclear weapons?
It is outrageous that Russia has placed its nuclear forces on high alert. As prime minister of the only nation to have experienced nuclear attacks during wartime who was elected from the A-bombed Hiroshima, I have been making strong appeals at diplomatic summits and international conferences that any threat of use of nuclear weapons, let alone actual use, is absolutely unacceptable under any circumstances.
Former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (representing Yamaguchi Prefecture’s District No. 4) said that debate on the nuclear-sharing policy should not be considered taboo. Some members of the Liberal Democratic Party and opposition parties have come around to his point of view, insisting that the nuclear-sharing policy should be debated and the three non-nuclear principles be revisited. How do you view that situation and what is your response to it?
I understand that the “nuclear sharing” referred to here is a framework under which the host nation shares in U.S. nuclear deterrence by deploying American nuclear arms on its territory, enabling its warplanes and other equipment to be equipped with the weapons for readiness to use if necessary. The policy would not be allowed in Japan given the country’s strict adherence to its three non-nuclear principles and its relationship to the rule of law, including the Basic Atomic Energy Act, which stipulates that atomic energy use shall be limited to peaceful purposes.
Japan’s national government has exhibited a cautious stance on attending the meeting of States Parties to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW) as an observer. In light of the invasion of Ukraine, explain again what you think about the treaty, whether Japan will participate in the meeting, and why or why not.
As a prime minister from the A-bombed Hiroshima, I will continue to do my utmost to achieve a “world free from nuclear weapons.” The TPNW is an important off-ramp for pursuit of a world without nuclear weapons. However, not one of the nuclear weapon states, which claim that cooperation is necessary to change reality, has joined the treaty. As the only nation to have experienced a nuclear attack during wartime, Japan must make every effort to involve the nuclear powers rather than worrying about whether Japan will participate in the meeting as an observer.
With that in mind, the relationship we enjoy with the United States, Japan’s only true ally, is all the more important. In January, I participated in a teleconference with U.S. President Joe Biden, whereby we were able to confirm our shared desire to work together to achieve a world without nuclear weapons, thereby taking the first step toward forging a relationship of trust with that administration. I will work to steadily advance practical efforts in cooperation with the United States.
What do you think about the impact of Russia’s behavior, intimating that it might use nuclear weapons, on the international movement toward nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation? How should the international community respond to such acts?
The international community needs to unite together to handle Russia with a strongly resolute attitude. Because of situations such as this one, Japan will continue to make tenacious efforts toward enhancing international momentum in the direction of nuclear disarmament through the establishment of an international group of eminent persons conference toward a world without nuclear weapons.
With such a conference, I think it is important for nuclear weapon states, non-nuclear weapon states, and TPNW participating and non-participating countries to put aside their differences and come up with ideas for a concrete path toward realization of a world free from nuclear weapons. In addition to experts from home and abroad, I would like both active and former political leaders of a variety of countries to become involved in the conference group to enhance international momentum toward a world without nuclear weapons.
(Originally published on March 6, 2022)
