Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaiichi on August 6 did not make a clear commitment to maintaining the country's nuclear-free principles, only saying that the government "is adhering" to long-standing policy, as the nation marked 81 years since the U.S. atomic bombing of Hiroshima.
Speaking at a memorial ceremony in Hiroshima, Takaiichi emphasized Japan's role in promoting nuclear disarmament, but when asked whether the government would uphold the three non-nuclear principles — not producing, not possessing, and not allowing nuclear weapons to be brought into Japanese territory — she only responded that the government "is adhering" to this policy.
Takaiichi's remarks came amid rising regional geopolitical tensions, prompting some analysts to question Japan's non-nuclear stance. However, the Prime Minister gave no indication of any change to current policy.
The ceremony took place at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, where the first atomic bomb was dropped by the U.S. on August 6, 1945, killing an estimated 140,000 people by the end of that year. This year's event marked Takaiichi's first attendance as Prime Minister.
Japan is the only country to have suffered nuclear weapons in war, and the three non-nuclear principles, adopted by its parliament in 1971, are considered a cornerstone of Tokyo's defense and security policy.
