Takaichi Reaffirms Non-Nuclear Principles at Nagasaki Memorial
Crhk · 2 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago2 MIN
Summary
Japan held a memorial ceremony in Nagasaki Peace Park on 9 August to mark the 81st anniversary of the atomic bombing. Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Japan upholds the three non-nuclear principles and is taking practical measures toward a world without nuclear weapons, while Nagasaki Mayor Shiro Suzuki urged Tokyo to maintain a security policy that does not rely on nuclear deterrence. Attention also focused on Takaichi's phrasing, as Japanese media said she described the current policy but did not clearly pledge to keep it in the future
Key Points
- The ceremony was held in Nagasaki Peace Park on 9 August, with representatives from more than 90 countries and regions attending to mourn the dead
- At 11:02am, the time the atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki, the peace bell rang and participants observed a moment of silence
- Takaichi said Japan adheres to the three non-nuclear principles of not possessing, not producing and not permitting the introduction of nuclear weapons.
- Mayor Shiro Suzuki said nuclear weapons are an absolute evil and warned that greater reliance on nuclear deterrence raises the risk of nuclear war.
- Japanese media said Takaichi avoided wording used by past prime ministers that explicitly promised Japan would continue to uphold the principles in future
Why It Matters
For Hong Kong readers, the debate matters because any shift in Japan's nuclear posture would affect East Asian security calculations and regional diplomatic tensions. The controversy also shows how even small changes in official wording on nuclear policy can trigger wider concern among neighbours and opposition parties