Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro said Japan must create the conditions for an open debate on revising the three non-nuclear principles — the postwar policy under which Japan does not possess, produce or allow the introduction of nuclear weapons — as the government prepares to update its three security-related documents by the end of the year.
Speaking at a symposium in Tokyo on the 3rd, Koizumi described the military movements of China and Russia around Japan and said the country "must create an environment in which we can discuss the security policies we need with an open mind."
"In finalizing the three documents, we will share the nuclear threat with society as a whole," he said. "Even with various constraints, I want to make this the best possible revision at this point in time."
Koizumi also signaled a positive stance toward debate on Japan possessing nuclear-powered submarines. "What will we do going forward, including issues such as cost and technology? I hope a wide range of points will be discussed," he said.