The head of Japan's main atomic bomb survivors' group has condemned the government's consideration of an exception to the non-nuclear principles, saying it does not understand the horror of nuclear weapons, the Asahi Shimbun reported.
Tanaka Terumi, 94, a representative committee member of Nihon Hidankyo — the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations — criticized the move over the principle of not allowing nuclear weapons into Japan.
"If 'not bringing them in' starts to move, what happens? They don't understand the horror of nuclear weapons," he said.
The government of Prime Minister Takaichi is considering stating an exception to the "no introduction" principle in the three security documents it is revising.
The non-nuclear principles — not possessing, not producing and not allowing the introduction of nuclear weapons — have long been treated as a founding taboo of postwar Japan.
Tanaka said the principles should not change with the convenience of the government of the day. "Nihon Hidankyo has called for them to be made into law," he said.
He also pointed to the Takaichi government, which did not experience war, and said it appeared to be trying to use a past Diet answer by Okada to promote the military industry as a lever for economic recovery.
Tanaka then brought up the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which the Japanese government has been cautious about even attending meetings as an observer.
“Whatever they write into an exception to the non-nuclear principles, there is no need to panic. Japan should simply join the nuclear weapons ban treaty, which includes all three principles. A major national movement toward joining the treaty is needed.”Tanaka Terumi, representative committee member, Nihon Hidankyo