March 28, 2025
Japanese Communist Party lawmaker Kira Yoshiko on March 27, based on her experience of observing the Third Meeting of State Parties to the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (3MSP TPNW), harshly grilled Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru about his stance of sticking to the “nuclear deterrence” doctrine.
At a House of Councilors Budget Committee meeting on the day, Kira noted that despite the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings this year and Nihon Hidankyo’s winning of the Nobel Peace Prize last year, the Japanese government again refused to participate, even as an observer, in the 3MSP, which came as a great disappointment to A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha).
Kira asked, “Does PM Ishiba recognize that the use of nuclear arms would cause inhumane consequences?” Ishiba replied, “I share that recognition.” The JCP lawmaker said to Ishiba, “If so, you should declare that the use of nuclear weapons will not be allowed under any circumstances.” PM Ishiba avoided making a clear response to Kira’s request.
Kira criticized PM Ishiba by saying that his reluctance stemmed from his stance of clinging to the ‘nuclear deterrence’ doctrine which presupposes the use of nuclear weapons. She pointed out that PM Ishiba, while recognizing the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, endorses the ‘nuclear deterrence’ concept which assumes that nuclear weapons will be used if necessary without hesitation which would cause an inhumane catastrophe like what happened after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She condemned PM Ishiba for his inconsistency.
Kira referred to a political declaration adopted by the 3MSP which states, “Nuclear weapons are a threat to the security, and ultimately the existence, of all states, irrespective of whether they possess nuclear weapons, subscribe to nuclear deterrence, or firmly oppose it.” She said, “What provides the maximum guarantee in removing a threat to the security by nuclear weapons is to abolish such weapons, not nuclear deterrence,” and strongly demanded that PM Ishiba make the decision to ratify the TPNW without further delay.
Past related article:
> JCP Kira and Kasai speak at TPNW 3rd meeting’s side event hosted by ICAN [March 5, 2025]
At a House of Councilors Budget Committee meeting on the day, Kira noted that despite the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombings this year and Nihon Hidankyo’s winning of the Nobel Peace Prize last year, the Japanese government again refused to participate, even as an observer, in the 3MSP, which came as a great disappointment to A-bomb survivors (Hibakusha).
Kira asked, “Does PM Ishiba recognize that the use of nuclear arms would cause inhumane consequences?” Ishiba replied, “I share that recognition.” The JCP lawmaker said to Ishiba, “If so, you should declare that the use of nuclear weapons will not be allowed under any circumstances.” PM Ishiba avoided making a clear response to Kira’s request.
Kira criticized PM Ishiba by saying that his reluctance stemmed from his stance of clinging to the ‘nuclear deterrence’ doctrine which presupposes the use of nuclear weapons. She pointed out that PM Ishiba, while recognizing the inhumane nature of nuclear weapons, endorses the ‘nuclear deterrence’ concept which assumes that nuclear weapons will be used if necessary without hesitation which would cause an inhumane catastrophe like what happened after the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. She condemned PM Ishiba for his inconsistency.
Kira referred to a political declaration adopted by the 3MSP which states, “Nuclear weapons are a threat to the security, and ultimately the existence, of all states, irrespective of whether they possess nuclear weapons, subscribe to nuclear deterrence, or firmly oppose it.” She said, “What provides the maximum guarantee in removing a threat to the security by nuclear weapons is to abolish such weapons, not nuclear deterrence,” and strongly demanded that PM Ishiba make the decision to ratify the TPNW without further delay.
Past related article:
> JCP Kira and Kasai speak at TPNW 3rd meeting’s side event hosted by ICAN [March 5, 2025]
