North Korea has condemned the Japanese Cabinet’s move to reconsider its Three Non-Nuclear Principles under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, calling it a blatant and vicious challenge to peace.
The ruling party’s official newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, published an article on Thursday titled, Japan’s Reckless Steps Towards Rearmament, asserting this claim.
Pyongyang highlighted that since Takaichi’s cabinet took office, Tokyo has significantly adjusted its military and security policies, including boosting defense spending, enhancing preemptive strike capabilities, and relaxing restrictions on arms exports.
The regime stated that this clearly demonstrates that Japan’s rearmament, pursued for decades since its defeat, has now reached a critical stage. They added that contrary to Japanese leaders’ claims, these actions are not for regional peace and security, but rather a malicious threat to stability.
North Korea further criticized Japan, arguing that Tokyo’s efforts to exaggerate threats from neighboring countries and heighten regional tensions are not merely expressions of isolationist tendencies. Instead, they called it a calculated strategy to justify military expansion, increase defense budgets, amend the constitution, and drum up public support for overseas military operations.
The regime warned that Japan’s actions are reminiscent of its past, when it indoctrinated its citizens to support aggressive wars for the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. As it marks 80 years since its defeat, Japan must recognize that challenging universal peace will only accelerate its own downfall.
Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles state that the country will not possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons. These principles, established by former Prime Minister Eisaku Satō’s declaration in 1967, have long been considered fundamental national policy.
However, recent years have seen Japan’s conservative factions raising concerns about the nuclear capabilities of North Korea, China, and Russia, as well as Japan’s increasing reliance on the U.S. nuclear umbrella. They argue that Tokyo should revise the principle of not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons to bolster its deterrence capabilities.
During a televised debate for the ruling Liberal Democratic Party leadership election last September, Takaichi suggested her stance on the issue, stating that it is contradictory to uphold the Three Non-Nuclear Principles while relying on deterrence under the U.S. nuclear umbrella. This statement implies her openness to reconsidering the last element of the non-nuclear principles.