July 21, Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian presided over a regular press conference.
A reporter asked that, according to reports, Japan's Defense Minister Shinzo Abe publicly stated in an online program on July 17 that Japan should discuss policies related to nuclear weapons without any taboos, which has drawn strong attention from both within Japan and the international community. In response to questions from opposition parties in parliament regarding the "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" and nuclear submarines, Abe said, "Are we always putting maintaining existing frameworks first, leaving the true protection of Japan behind?" What is China's comment on this?
Lin Jian stated that the remarks made by the current head of Japan's defense department are extremely rare in Japan's post-war history. They are highly provocative and dangerous. The ambitions of the Japanese ruling authorities to break through the 'Three Non-Nuclear Principles' and challenge the post-war international order are clearly evident.
He stated that current Japanese leaders advocated for changes to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” while serving as members of the national parliament. Since taking power, they have accelerated Japan’s process of “re-militarization,” and have taken dangerous steps in nuclear weapons policy. This includes strengthening so-called “extended deterrence” cooperation, promoting the development of nuclear-powered submarines, seeking “nuclear sharing” arrangements, and introducing medium-range missile systems. Senior officials at the Prime Minister’s Office and the ruling coalition openly advocated for changes to the “Three Non-Nuclear Principles,” challenging both Japan’s and the international community’s boundaries. The defense minister you mentioned, on one hand, claims to adhere to the principles of “defensive autonomy,” “peaceful development,” and “Three Non-Nuclear Principles” in various international forums. On the other hand, he openly advocates for discussing nuclear weapons policy without any restrictions within Japan. Is this what Japan calls “adherence” and “stance”? This contradictory behavior once again reveals Japan’s deception and its attempts to deceive the international community.
Lin Jian pointed out that Japan is an internationally recognized country with a nuclear threshold. It has long intentionally maintained the ability to achieve nuclear breakthroughs in the short term, storing approximately 44.4 tons of separated plutonium. Theoretically, this material could be used to manufacture numerous nuclear warheads. Japanese right-wing forces, under the pretext of so-called "external threats" and "defense," continue to break through Japan's constitution and international legal regulations, challenging the international order and nuclear non-proliferation system since World War II. They are moving down the wrong path, posing a real threat to regional peace and stability. If we allow Japanese right-wing forces to act recklessly, promoting the development of powerful offensive weapons or even achieving nuclear independence, it will once again harm the international community, with disastrous consequences. Japan's "new type of militarism" has already shown its aggressive nature, and the international community must be highly vigilant and resolutely resist it.
