International Desk: The Eleventh Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) is being held in New York from April 27 to May 22. During the second question-and-answer session on Wednesday, the Chinese delegation stated that since the assumption of office by the Sanae Takaiichi administration, Japan’s nuclear-related policies have become a tangible threat, posing a serious challenge to the post-World War II international order and the global nuclear non-proliferation regime.

The Chinese delegation further stated that Japan is widely recognized as a country with potential nuclear weapons capability. It also noted that among NPT non-nuclear-weapon states, Japan is the only country possessing the technical capacity to produce nuclear weapons. The international community, it warned, must remain highly vigilant against Japan’s concerning trends in this regard.

Firstly, Chinese representatives pointed out that senior officials in Japan’s Prime Minister’s Office have reportedly stated that “Japan should possess nuclear weapons.” At the same time, right-wing political forces within the country are attempting to revise Japan’s Three Non-Nuclear Principles and are repeatedly testing international reactions.

Secondly, Japan has long accumulated a significant stockpile of plutonium far exceeding civilian requirements. Given its technological capability, the country could, if it chooses, develop nuclear weapons within a very short timeframe.

Thirdly, China highlighted what it described as Japan’s contradictory stance on nuclear non-proliferation. On one hand, Japan portrays itself as a victim of nuclear weapons and advocates for a nuclear-weapon-free world, while on the other hand it continues to strengthen “extended deterrence” cooperation with allied countries and has shown interest in hosting allied nuclear weapons on its territory.

China emphasized that this review conference should engage in in-depth discussions on these relevant issues and called for stronger verification and oversight mechanisms regarding Japan’s nuclear-related activities.

Source: Tuhina-Touhid-Shueyi, China Media Group.