More than 100 assemblies throughout the nation are pressuring the central government to join the U.N. nuclear weapons ban passed last year, according to a tally compiled Sunday.
The administration of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has so far resisted joining the treaty because Japan relies on the United States' nuclear umbrella.
At least 112 municipal assemblies and one prefectural assembly have sent written opinions to the Diet urging the government to sign and ratify the treaty, according to the secretariats of both Diet chambers and the assemblies.