Japan PM renews pledge against nukes
TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe marked the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Nagasaki yesterday by renewing his commitment to a nuclear weapon-free Japan, following criticism for not making the same pledge on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing last week.
The “three non-nuclear principles” are Japan’s longstanding policy of not possessing or producing nuclear arms and not letting others bring them into the country.
Japan’s defence minister triggered a new row over controversial security legislation on Wednesday, when he said the bills under consideration by parliament would not rule out the military transporting the nuclear weapons of foreign forces.
Abe’s cabinet adopted a resolution last year reinterpreting the pacifist constitution, drafted by the US after World War II to let Japan exercise collective selfdefence, or defend an ally under attack.
The unpopular bills have already passed the lower house, and Abe’s ruling bloc has a majority in the upper house as well. But surveys show a majority of voters are opposed to what would be a significant shift in Japan’s defence policy.
Japanese media reported that Abe would not visit Tokyo’s controversial Yasukuni shrine for the war dead on Saturday, which marks the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to the Allies in the war.
Abe is a regular visitor to the shrine and his appearances often spark ire from Asian neighbours such as China and South Korea, which came under Japanese occupation.
Even if the premier stays away from Yasukuni, he may still come under scrutiny if he omits an apology in a statement expected to be released later this week marking the 70th anniversary of Japan’s defeat.