Some influential Japanese politicians have called for debate on whether the nation should adopt nuclear arms, causing repercussions at home and abroad. Since 1967, Japan has upheld the three-point policy of not possessing, making or allowing the entry of nuclear arms, while remaining under the U.S. nuclear umbrella.
From time to time, foreign media have reported on the possibility of Japan's going nuclear. The recent series of comments by politicians, following North Korea's nuclear test Oct. 9 and reports of Iran's uranium-enrichment activities, could stir the mistaken notion abroad that Japan is gearing up to join the nuclear-arms race.
Aren't politicians aware that their comments are hurting Japan's credibility in the international community? Powerful politicians should step up international efforts to realize nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation, instead of talking about the nuclear-arms option.