BEIJING, October 28. /TASS/. Japan is seeking to develop a nuclear capability, according to Dai Huaicheng, Secretary-General of the China Arms Control and Disarmament Association (CACDA).

"Since the current Japanese government took office, the country's right-wing forces have clearly demonstrated their ambitions to revive militarism, violate the 'three non-nuclear principles,' and pursue the creation of an indigenous nuclear arsenal - rapidly accelerating their progress along this misguided path. These statements are by no means isolated incidents; rather, they represent long-conceived, dangerous 'probing' steps that are part of a pre-planned strategy to 'gradually loosen restrictions in the nuclear sphere'," he stated.

Dai also noted that Japan’s current cabinet denies the country’s history of aggression during World War II, seeks to "whitewash the war crimes that were committed," and is actively pursuing remilitarization - all of which, he warned, "poses a serious threat to peace and stability in the region."

"As a non-nuclear-weapon state party to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, Japan is bound under international law not to acquire, develop, possess, or proliferate nuclear weapons. There is no room for negotiation on this matter," Dai concluded.

Japan adheres to the Three Non-Nuclear Principles: not to possess, produce, or permit the introduction of nuclear weapons into its territory. Although these principles are not legally binding, successive Japanese prime ministers have reaffirmed their commitment to them. For decades, even discussing a possible revision was considered taboo. Some politicians have referred to an unwritten "fourth principle" - the prohibition on discussing the issue - and called for at least this constraint to be lifted.

Following Sanae Takaichi’s appointment as prime minister, media reports indicated that a review of Japan’s national security strategy would include discussions of the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. In particular, Takaichi was reported to be prepared to advocate lifting the ban on the introduction of US nuclear weapons into Japan.

Amid the reports, however, Takaichi stated that she had not instructed officials to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles as part of the deliberations on the updated national security strategy.