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Japan’s Defense Minister Calls Open Debate on Nuclear Policy

7/20/2026

Summary

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Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan must openly debate its nuclear weapons policy, calling the issue unavoidable.
He cited France’s March plan to increase warheads and Finland’s June vote permitting nuclear weapons on its soil.
Koizumi urged debate of Japan’s three non-nuclear principles without taboo, while the U.S. nuclear umbrella still bans hosting or sharing nuclear arms, recalling December 2025 backlash to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s nuclear-acquisition suggestion.

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Story summary

Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi said Japan must openly debate its nuclear weapons policy, calling the issue unavoidable.
He cited France’s March plan to increase warheads and Finland’s June vote permitting nuclear weapons on its soil.
Koizumi urged debate of Japan’s three non-nuclear principles without taboo, while the U.S. nuclear umbrella still bans hosting or sharing nuclear arms, recalling December 2025 backlash to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s nuclear-acquisition suggestion.