Japan Press Weekly

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2022 February 23 - March 1 TOP3 [POLITICS]

JCP Koike criticizes ex-PM Abe for using Ukraine crisis to discuss introducing ‘nuclear sharing’ program and changing pacifist Article 9

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on February 28 at a press conference in the Diet building criticized ex-Prime Minister Abe’s remark using Putin’s invasion of Ukraine as a pretext for discussions on “nuclear sharing” and a revision of the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Constitution.

Former PM Abe’s controversial remark was made on the previous day during a TV program covering the ongoing Ukraine crisis.

Koike said, “Whatever happens, the person who used to serve as the head of the only A-bombed nation in the world must not talk about Japan’s possession of nuclear weapons.” He went on to say that ex-PM Abe’s remark is totally unacceptable as it tramples on the Three Non-Nuclear Principles (not to possess, manufacture or allow the entry of nuclear weapons into Japan), Japan’s national policy and fundamental principle.

In addition, Koike introduced a Tweet by UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Nakamitsu Izumi in response to Russian President Putin ordering his nuclear forces into “special combat readiness”. In the Tweet, she wrote, “The raising of nuclear alert levels by the Russian Federation only increases the risk of catastrophic miscalculation. There are no victors with nuclear weapons. Only victims.”

Koike pointed out that the former Japanese prime minister's remark referring to the possession and sharing of nuclear weapons by Japan will only increase tensions in East Asia, adding that A-bomb survivors are angered by Abe’s remark.

Regarding Abe’s attack on Article 9, Koike criticized Abe for aligning himself with Putin’s position embracing the “power logic”.

Koike stressed, “Article 9 represents Japan’s determination to never again become a nation capable of invading other countries and to act as a pioneer in the international community seeking world peace by renouncing war and prohibiting offensive rearmament.”

Koike said, “Abe capitalizes on the Ukraine crisis to deny the war-renouncing Article 9 of the Japanese Constitution and call for Japan’s possession of the capability to attack enemy bases. This is a dangerous move as it aims to turn Japan into an aggressor nation.”

He stressed, "The need now is for Japanese politicians to work to put a halt to the war in Ukraine and call for the international community to work together on the single issue of pressing Putin to comply with the UN Charter. This is the constitutional principle enshrined in Article 9."