A comprehensive report jointly released by two prominent Chinese research institutions has sounded a global alarm regarding escalating nuclear aspirations within Japan’s political establishment. The China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA) and China Institute of Nuclear Industry Strategy (CINIS) presented their findings on Thursday, identifying what they characterize as dangerous trends threatening international security frameworks.
The study, titled ‘Nuclear Ambitions of Japan’s Right-Wing Forces: A Serious Threat to World Peace’, documents several concerning developments including Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s apparent openness to revising Japan’s longstanding three non-nuclear principles. Additionally, the report references an unnamed senior Cabinet official who recently advocated for Japan’s acquisition of nuclear weapons.
CACDA Secretary-General Dai Huaicheng emphasized that these developments represent more than isolated opinions, stating they reflect ‘inflated ambitions to break free from international order, revive militarism and speed up re-militarization.’ The report underscores Japan’s dual obligations as a defeated World War II power and signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which prohibits manufacturing, acquiring, or controlling nuclear weapons.
The analysis presents ten specific recommendations, including urging the Japanese government to reaffirm its commitment to non-nuclear principles and calling upon the 2026 NPT Review Conference to address these concerns formally. The report further recommends enhanced International Atomic Energy Association oversight of Japan’s nuclear materials and activities, while advocating for strict limitations on civil nuclear cooperation to ensure exclusively peaceful applications.
CINIS Chairman Luo Qingping warned that these developments pose fundamental challenges to the post-war international order, asserting that right-wing efforts to modify Japan’s nuclear policies ‘gravely challenge the authority and effectiveness of the NPT, undermining efforts to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime.’