Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated on Wednesday that Japan needs to foster open, taboo-free dialogues concerning its long-term national security framework, including the topic of nuclear deterrence, amid a changing regional and global threat environment.
Addressing journalists at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Koizumi underscored that nations must be prepared to consider every potential defense mechanism to tackle mounting security tests.
”Unless discussions are held without any taboos, no country can any longer ensure its own security on its own,” Koizumi told reporters. “I think this is only natural.”
Highlighting recent defense shifts across Europe, he observed that France has broadened its nuclear deterrence framework by deepening strategic ties with regional partners.
”France is changing its nuclear policy (toward expanding its nuclear deterrent to other European countries) and is seeking to demonstrate new developments, including joint exercises with Germany,” he said.
Koizumi reiterated that robust collaboration among allied nations is becoming far more critical as global security dynamics shift.
The defense chief had previously noted during a webcast last Friday that conversations surrounding nuclear topics are now unavoidable.
His statements align with remarks from Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, who noted that an upcoming parliamentary session on July 6 would evaluate whether to review Japan’s long-standing Three Non-Nuclear Principles—the policy pledging not to possess, produce, or permit nuclear armaments within Japanese borders.
Furthermore, the Japan Innovation Party, a coalition partner of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party, has pushed to re-examine the restriction against bringing nuclear weapons into the country. The party has also recommended procuring nuclear-powered submarines as part of updating Japan’s trio of foundational defense documents.
On the sidelines, Koizumi conferred with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte on Wednesday, with both leaders agreeing that security in the Indo-Pacific and Euro-Atlantic spheres remains deeply intertwined.
Their meeting followed recent Chinese naval live-fire maneuvers inside Japan’s exclusive economic zone and Russian naval firing exercises conducted near the English Channel.