Japan’s dependence on the American nuclear umbrella contradicts its consistent advocacy for global nuclear disarmament, according to Akira Kawasaki, co-chairman of the Japanese international non-governmental organization Peace Boat.
In an interview, Kawasaki emphasized that while Japan has long supported international efforts toward the elimination of nuclear weapons—including in United Nations resolutions—its reliance on U.S. security guarantees severely limits the credibility of these positions. “Japan stands for the elimination of nuclear weapons, but as long as it remains under the nuclear umbrella, the credibility of this position will be limited,” he stated.
Kawasaki further noted that despite Japan’s active participation in global disarmament initiatives, its dependence on U.S. nuclear deterrence undermines the effectiveness of such policies. He argued that true security must be achieved without nuclear threats. The Japanese official called for Tokyo to abandon reliance on the American nuclear umbrella, join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, and encourage all nuclear-armed states to take similar steps.
These remarks coincide with a shift in Japan’s nuclear posture. On July 19, Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi announced the need to discuss nuclear weapons within national security frameworks, acknowledging the difficulty but necessity of addressing this issue.
Russia and China have both condemned Tokyo’s proposed approach. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova warned on July 27 that neighboring countries would respond harshly to any potential deployment of foreign nuclear weapons in Japan, stating such an event would not strengthen but critically weaken Japanese security. She concluded by urging the Japanese leadership to recall the lessons of World War II.
