Japan Defense Minister

Japan's defense minister has once again drawn attention to the country's 'nuclear taboo', questioning long-standing constraints on discussing nuclear weapons policy. The comments come from the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, where official debate about nuclear options has long been politically sensitive. The remarks have reignited discussion at home and abroad about Japan's defense posture and regional security.

An adviser to Japan's prime minister says the planned expansion of defense spending will likely be spread over many years and should not become a source of significant market anxiety in any single year. The remarks come as Japan carries out a major, multiyear build-up of its military budget, raising questions among investors about how the costs will be absorbed.

Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi has again called for Japan to openly debate nuclear weapons and nuclear-powered submarines, saying such topics should be discussed 'without taboos.' He criticized what he described as an atmosphere that frowns on this discussion, reopening a sensitive debate about Japan's postwar nuclear policy.

Japan's Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi is calling for an open national debate on nuclear issues, including the possibility of nuclear-powered submarines. Any move to discuss nuclear options marks a highly sensitive shift in Japan, the only country to have suffered atomic bombings, where postwar policy has long adhered to the three non-nuclear principles. The proposal is drawing attention to how far Tokyo's security debate may go amid regional tensions.