On October 8, the Sankei Shimbun reported that the Japanese government is considering a plan to specify an “emergency exception” to the “no introduction of nuclear weapons” clause among the Three Non-Nuclear Principles in the “Three Security Documents” to be revised within the year.
The Sankei Shimbun explained that “as China strengthens its nuclear forces, the intention is to enhance the effectiveness of extended deterrence, including the US nuclear umbrella,” and that “it will make it easier for US and Japanese authorities to respond and review matters during peacetime.”
The basis for this “emergency exception” argument originates from a statement made by then-Foreign Minister Katsuya in the Diet in 2010, during the Democratic Party of Japan administration.
Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has inherited this position. However, she has only stated the principled position of maintaining the Three Non-Nuclear Principles and has avoided making clear comments on the specific question of “whether nuclear weapons would be introduced in an emergency.”
Among experts, including members of advisory councils, concerns have been raised about the lack of prior US-Japan consultations and the functionality of such measures in contingencies, and there are calls for concrete discussion of the issues.
In addition, a plan to discuss the introduction of nuclear-powered submarines by the Self-Defense Forces has also been raised within the administration.
