Donald Trump’s recent remarks questioning the U.S. commitment to defend allies like Japan have triggered alarm in Tokyo. His suggestion that Japan should “defend itself” has reignited debate over nuclear armament—a topic long considered politically untouchable.
Japanese lawmakers, including members of the ruling LDP, are now openly discussing the possibility of revisiting the country’s non-nuclear principles. While no formal policy change is underway, the tone marks a dramatic shift from decades of pacifist doctrine.
Polls show strong public resistance to nuclear weapons, rooted in the trauma of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Yet some strategists argue that Japan must prepare for a more uncertain U.S. alliance and a rising China.
The debate is being closely watched in Seoul and Taipei, where similar concerns about U.S. reliability are prompting calls for greater self-defense capabilities.
Japan’s post-WWII constitution renounces war and nuclear arms. Any move toward armament would not only reshape regional security but also challenge global non-proliferation norms.
(source Reuters)
—Agencies
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