Japan will never possess nuclear weapons, says official
April 21st, 2009 - 12:14 am ICT by IANSTokyo, April 20 (Xinhua) Japan will never possess nuclear weapons, a top government official said Monday, dismissing recent suggestions by former finance minister Shoichi Nakagawa to acquire nuclear weapons.
“There is no doubt that we will continue firmly maintaining our policy of (upholding) the three non-nuclear principles” of not producing, possessing or allowing nuclear weapons in Japan, Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura told a news conference here.
Kawamura said in response to Nakagawa’s remarks about “nuclear counters nuclear”, referring to North Korea’s announcement that it would resume its nuclear programme.
Earlier this month, another Liberal Democratic Party lawmaker also said at a party meeting that Japan should have nuclear weapons in light of Pyongyang’s rocket launch April 5.
- US concludes 'constructive' talks with North Korea - Jul 30, 2011
- Obama extends sanctions on North Korea - Jun 24, 2011
- Obama wants North Korea to drop rocket launch (Lead) - Mar 25, 2012
- World leaders condemn North Korean rocket launch - Apr 05, 2009
- North Korea fires three more missiles: Report (Second Lead) - Jul 04, 2009
- South Korea claims North has test-fired three more missiles - Jul 04, 2009
- Japan imposes new sanctions against North Korea - Apr 10, 2009
- N. Korea may carry out more nuke tests, says Moscow-based diplomat - May 25, 2009
- North Korea conducts second nuclear test, fires missile (Fourth Lead) - May 25, 2009
- North Korea tests seventh missile, says South Korea (Fifth Lead) - Jul 04, 2009
- Uighur leader seeks Japan's help for minority in China - Jul 29, 2009
- Russian delegation meets Kim Jong-il - May 18, 2011
- South Korea, Japan for nuclear talks with North Korea - Feb 11, 2010
- North Korea's missile launches 'not helpful': US - Jul 05, 2009
- North Korea tests six missiles, says South Korea (Fourth Lead) - Jul 04, 2009
Tags: chief cabinet secretary, finance minister, government official, japan, kawamura, lawmaker, liberal democratic party, news conference, no doubt, north korea, nuclear weapons, pyongyang, rocket launch, shoichi nakagawa, takeo, tokyo, xinhua
