JCP Shii urges Prime Minister to oppose U.S. nuclear weapons policy

Japanese Communist Party Chair Shii Kazuo used his one-on-one debate in parliament with the prime minister on June 12 to point out that the chief cabinet secretary's insensitive remark on nuclear weapons is a product of Japan's submission to the United States.

Shii reminded Prime Minister Koizumu Jun'ichiro that the U.S. Bush administration's "Nuclear Posture Review" (January 2002) calls for the use nuclear weapons to be planned against seven countries, including Iraq, Iran, and Libya which are non-nuclear weapon states. "Japan as the only atomic-bombed nation should state clearly its opposition to the U.S. policy," he said to the prime minister.

Prime Minister Koizumi's reply was that he understands that the United States keeps all options open as part of its security policy.

Asked whether the prime minister supports the use of nuclear weapons against countries where there is no such weapons, Koizumi said, "The United States believes that it should maintain that as an option."

Responding to Koizumi's virtual approval of the expanded use of nuclear weapons, Shii said to Koizumi, "So you cannot say no. How shameful!."

"At the 2001 U.N. General Assembly, the Japanese government voted in favor of a resolution calling for the early conclusion of an international agreement banning the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states. The government does not hesitate to change its mind to see the United States change its policy to one of allowing nuclear weapons to be used against non-nuclear weapons countries," Shii said.

Later in the day, Shii held a news conference and pointed out that the Koizumi government's proposal for contingency legislation is for Japan to take part in U.S. wars that may involve preemptive strikes and the use of nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon countries. (end)